High Court orders GRA to process application for Superbet Betting Shop Licences - Kaieteur News
- ExxonM’s pipeline cost not in Guyana’s debt profile
- ‘Cost to rent one drill rig could reach US$600K per day’ – Exxon contractor says citing increasing demand
- Nine killed, 2,750 wounded in Hezbollah pager blasts across Lebanon
- Bandits in $65M heist at Samtronix
- Murder, robbery suspects nabbed in city raids
Oct 01, 2019News
By Feona Morrison
Noting that the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) and the Guyana Gaming Authority (GGA) received and acted upon poor legal advice in demanding that Superbet obtain a Certificate of Good Standing before it can be issued with a Betting Shop Licence, Justice Jo-Ann Barlow yesterday ordered the organisations to process Superbet’s applications for 2018 and 2019. In a ruling delivered yesterday, Justice Barlow also granted a Writ of Certiorari, as requested by Superbet, directed to GRA and its Commissioner General quashing a decision made by them during January 2018, requiring Superbet to obtain a Certificate of Good Standing as a condition precedent to the issuance of a Betting Shop Licence under the provisions of the Tax Act, Chapter 80:01, on the grounds that the said decision is ultra vires, capricious, arbitrary, unlawful, illegal, influenced by irrelevant considerations, null, void and of no effect.
The Judge also granted another Writ of Certiorari directed to the GGA and its Chief Executive Officer quashing their decision to impose a requirement of a Good Standing Certificate, as a condition precedent to the Applicant obtaining a Betting Shop Licence under the provisions of the Tax Act, Chapter 80:01, on the grounds that the said decision is ultra vires, arbitrary, unlawful, illegal, influenced by irrelevant considerations, null, void and of no effect. Justice Barlow, in her ruling, on the Tax Act, said that the legislation under which Superbet is licensed to carry out business does not make provisions expressly or impliedly, for the company to obtain a Certificate of Good Standing as a pre-condition to being issued with betting shop licence. It was further noted by the court that the Anti-Money Laundering and the Countering of Financial Terrorism AML/CFT Act, also makes no provisions for Superbet to obtain a Certificate of Good Standing as a pre-condition to being issued with betting shop licence. Therefore, the court held that both the GRA and the Gaming Authority acted unlawfully and illegal when they demanded Superbet to obtain a Certificate of Good Standing as a pre-condition to being issued with a Betting Shop Licence as it is requirement outside of the law. GRA and its Commissioner General were each ordered to pay $100,000 in court costs to Superbet, while GGA and its Chief Executive Officer were each ordered to pay $150,000 in court costs to the company. During the course of the proceedings, an application filed by the Attorney General Basil Williams, to join the matter was refused. In light of yesterday’s ruling, Nandlall issued these comments: “As a result of this ruling, Superbet should now be issued with its licence for the years 2018 and 2019 by GRA, especially since its Affidavit before the Court; GRA intimated that Superbet has satisfied all the legal requirements to be issued with this licence. This ruling also would constitute conclusive basis or the dismissal or discontinue of all pending criminal charges against the agents of the Superbet in the Magistrate’s Court.” Shrikant Kisoensingh, General Manager of Guiana Holding Inc., the company which operates Superbet said that it started operations here in 2012. Over the past seven years, he said that Superbet has established 170 locations countrywide, across eight administrative regions, run and managed by agents all of whom employ several persons at their individual operations. At present, he said that 70 staffers are employed on a full-time basis at its operations is headquartered at 72 Barrack Street, Kingston, Georgetown, Guyana. From the commencement of its operation, Kisoensingh submitted that his operations are above board in keeping with all the necessary tax and gaming laws. For the years 2012 to 2015, he contended that the relevant fee was $2,000,000 annually; for the years 2016 and 2017, the annual fee increased to $3,000,000. According to Kisoensingh’s affidavit, GRA belatedly added a Certificate of Good Standing as a requirement for granting the licence. Kisoensingh further noted threats by the GGA to suspend the operations due to the lack of a Certificate of Good Standing is unfounded and without legal merit. He said that the company’s operations did not fall under the purview and ambit of the Gambling Prevention Act, and therefore GGA did not have jurisdiction and authority to direct Superbet to suspend their operations. Additionally, in the court document, Superbet noted that GGA required that the company undergoes an audit at the cost to some US$100,000— a bill which they should foot. However, according to the court documents, the Gaming Authority will select the company to conduct the audit. The audit company, Spectrum Gaming Group, is in conjunction with Compliance Aid BSA Anti -Money Laundering (AML) Services LLC– a Miami-based Anti-Money Laundering & Counter-Terrorism Financing Education, and Resources & Advisory Services firm. Superbet was told that an AML/CFT audit was required for them to be issued a Certificate of Good Standing, the documents noted.
Share this:
Click to print (Opens in new window)
Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)
Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)
Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window)
Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)
Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
Click to print (Opens in new window)
Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)
Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)
Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window)
Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)
Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
Related
Similar Articles- > ExxonM’s pipeline cost not in Guyana’s debt profile
> ‘Cost to rent one drill rig could reach US$600K per…
> Nine killed, 2,750 wounded in Hezbollah pager blasts across…
> Bandits in $65M heist at Samtronix
> Murder, robbery suspects nabbed in city raids
> Cops in controversial search of home of ‘Melly…
> Pile driving activities underway for delayed Gas-to-Energy…
> Less than a year newly built Leonora dorm to be renovated,…
> Police investigating circulation of fake old age pension…
> Man gets five years for robbing businesswoman
> Taxi driver gets bail for bomb threats to Marriott Hotel
> Election Fraud case further delayed
> Govt. in move to revive Skeldon sugar estate
> Doing business in Guyana gat added costs
> ExxonMobil must be held liable for all oil spill costs…
> ExxonM’s pipeline cost not in Guyana’s debt profile
> ‘Cost to rent one drill rig could reach US$600K per…
> Nine killed, 2,750 wounded in Hezbollah pager blasts across…
> Bandits in $65M heist at Samtronix
> Murder, robbery suspects nabbed in city raids
> Cops in controversial search of home of ‘Melly…
> Pile driving activities underway for delayed Gas-to-Energy…
> Less than a year newly built Leonora dorm to be renovated,…
> Police investigating circulation of fake old age pension…
> Man gets five years for robbing businesswoman
> Taxi driver gets bail for bomb threats to Marriott Hotel
> Election Fraud case further delayed
> Govt. in move to revive Skeldon sugar estate
> Doing business in Guyana gat added costs
> ExxonMobil must be held liable for all oil spill costs…
Is this oil a blessing or a curse?
Warriors eyeing comeback win, with important Guyana leg looming
Sep 18, 2024
2024 Caribbean Premier League… GAW vs. TKR Kaieteur Sports – Defending Champs Guyana Amazon Warriors are eyeing a much-needed rebound victory tonight against home team Trinbago Knight… Read More 
Teams briefed ahead of Saturday’s start
Sep 18, 2024
Guyana open its medal quest today in Argentina
Sep 18, 2024
Jockey Ross anticipates exciting President’s
Sep 18, 2024
Ramdhani, de Boulet cop Bronze in Costa Rica…
Sep 18, 2024
Sowter called up by Amazon Warriors
Sep 18, 2024
“Nothing is Free?” Really?
Kaieteur News – The assertion that “nothing is free” has a familiar ring. It is a refrain as old as modern… more
Kaieteur News – The assertion that “nothing is free” has a familiar ring. It is a refrain as old as modern… more
Rising Gun Crimes in the Caribbean: Urgent Action required by all
By Sir Ronald Sanders Kaieteur News – There is an alarming surge in gun-related violence, particularly among younger… more
By Sir Ronald Sanders Kaieteur News – There is an alarming surge in gun-related violence, particularly among younger… more
President Ali projects a troubling facility with words
Kaieteur News – President Ali has gotten too comfortable with a certain facility with words. He says whatever is… more
Kaieteur News – President Ali has gotten too comfortable with a certain facility with words. He says whatever is… more
Publisher’s Note
Freedom of speech is our core value at Kaieteur News. If the letter/e-mail you sent was not published, and you believe that its contents were not libellous, let us know, please contact us by phone or email.
Feel free to send us your comments and/or criticisms. Contact: 624-6456; 225-8452; 225-8458; 225-8463; 225-8465; 225-8473 or 225-8491. Or by Email: email protected / email protected
Freedom of speech is our core value at Kaieteur News. If the letter/e-mail you sent was not published, and you believe that its contents were not libellous, let us know, please contact us by phone or email.
Feel free to send us your comments and/or criticisms. Contact: 624-6456; 225-8452; 225-8458; 225-8463; 225-8465; 225-8473 or 225-8491. Or by Email: email protected / email protected
Weekend Cartoon
Bridge Watch
Demerara Harbour Bridge
> Berbice Bridge …
Demerara Harbour Bridge
> Berbice Bridge …
> Berbice Bridge …
superbet,superbet login,superbet casino,superbet app,superbet brasil,superbet apostas,superbet entrar,superbet é confiável,superbet sao paulo
This site only collects related articles. Viewing the original, please copy and open the following link:High Court orders GRA to process application for Superbet Betting Shop Licences - Kaieteur News
