by Sabrina Salas Matanane

Guam - A bill aimed at forcing organizations that provide gaming activities in Guam to pay their fair share in taxes has been introduced. Bill 19 identifies responsibilities of a commission that has been dormant for over a decade will take on new life. The legislation allows the director of the Department of Revenue & Taxation to take on the responsibilities of the Gaming Control Commission until such time members are actually seated.

According to the bill's author Senator Chris Duenas its about time organizations that are licensed to provide gaming activities pay their fair share. He specifically refers to the Guam National Olympic Committee. "We have found in our research that it's significant lower than most lotteries stateside pay in terms of what returns to the people. We've also found that the rules and regulations established for this particular entity are not being followed at all. So people of Guam have been losing out on millions of dollars and we want to make sure that that money goes to helping our sport facilities in our villages and the Mayors Council is involved, Parks & Rec's involved in terms of receiving resources and the Department of Education" he said.

It was in 2003 the law created the commission tasked with the development of license fees and tax rates to be assessed to various forms of allowable gaming. According to Bill 19 until such time the commission is actually seated, the DRT director will be authorized to assess an interim 20 percent tax on all gross receipts from all gaming activities in Guam that do not have a specific tax rate.

According to Senator Duenas, he estimates if his bill is enacted into law the GNOC could be paying anywhere between $800,000 to $1,000,000 a year in taxes. Its money Duenas says could be used to provide training and better facilities for island athletes. He said, "We decided to introduce it because many federations have come to our doors steps that we would like to see more opportunities for sport facilities in the community and also to see as much funding to see help as many athletes in the future. We also decided to do it because we found that there are opportunities, if there are current licenses that are out there issued for these activities, they should pay their fair share at a time when the Government of Guam is strapped for cash and a time when all the talks about cuts and we also need to find revenue, and if there's revenue right now being left on the table that's unfair."

According to Bill19 the proceeds will go to repair village recreational facilities including community centers, the repair and construction of Parks & Rec facilities, the repair and construction of sports facilities for DOE. The measure was co-sponsored by Vice Speaker B.J. Cruz and Senator Tommy Morrison.