by Ken Quintanilla

Guam - Late this afternoon, a public hearing was held Bill 192 that would prohibit gaming machines used to conduct sweepstakes and ultimately shut down casino cafes.

The measure was introduced by Vice Speaker B.J. Cruz with the guidance of the Attorney General's Office. Keep Guam Good's Jackie Marati testified in support of the measure saying these casino cafes are part of the gambling business in which the machines should be made illegal.

She adds it falls in line with what Guam voters have repeatedly defeated in the past with every single gambling initiative introduced on the ballot.

According to Cruz, current law already prohibits gambling machines whereas cyber casino cafes combine normal sweepstakes with casino-style gambling games to operate legal casino-like establishments - a combination he says Guam law never anticipated.