AG still reviewing licenses issued to businesses

by Mindy Aguon

Guam - The Attorney General's Office is still reviewing a list of businesses on Guam that own Liberty, Uncle Sam, Pharaoh and other similar gaming devices.  The listing was requested as the AG's Office believes the machines are illegal. AG Leonardo Rapadas says he wants the licenses that were recently issued by Rev & Tax revoked. 

The office intends to issue letters to companies that have licenses for the machines to inform them that they are in violation of the law. The AG has previously said his office would pursue legal action if Rev & Tax didn't revoke the licenses, with Rapadas noting, "But we are not at that stage right now we are waiting for the list of the business from Rev & Tax. They've stopped issuing licenses so the next step is getting the list and us sending out the listing."

Rev & Tax has already said it will not renew the licenses once they expire on June 30. Guam Music, Inc. attorney Randy Cunliffe, however, argues that the machines are legal and can be licensed.  He also criticized Rapadas for getting involved in the matter, saying the AG was only doing so to get votes and sticking his nose where it shouldn't be.

Rapadas said, "Well, on the gambling issue this is exactly where our nose should be stuck - that's all I have to say about that."

The licenses were issued after the AG's Office and Guam Music, Inc. Both agreed to dismiss their lawsuits that were pending in the Superior Court of Guam for the last five years.