PacLII Home | Databases | WorldLII | Search | Feedback

Vanuatu Sessional Legislation

You are here:  PacLII >> Databases >> Vanuatu Sessional Legislation >> Casino Control Act 1993

Database Search | Name Search | Noteup | Download | Help

Casino Control Act 1993

Commencement: 08 March 1993


REPUBLIC OF VANUATU


CASINO CONTROL ACT
NO. 6 OF 1993


Arrangement of Sections


PART 1 - PRELIMINARY


1. Interpretation


PART 2 - LICENSING OF CASINO


2. Grant of licence by the Minister

  1. Lawfulness of casino operation
  2. Application for a casino licence
  3. Agreement to precede grant of a casino licence
  4. Suitability of casino licensee
  5. Form of the casino licence
  6. Duration of casino licence
  7. Surrender of casino licence
  8. Suspension or cancellation of casino licence - grounds
  9. Suspension or cancellation of casino licence - procedures
  10. Casino licence fee
  11. Tax
  12. Payment of fee and tax where casino licence suspended
  13. List of persons excluded from casino
  14. Application of Liquor Act

PART 3 - ADMINISTRATION


  1. Appointment of the collector
  2. Powers of the collector
  3. Appointment of officers
  4. Delegation of powers
  5. Rights of officer on casino premises
  6. Powers

PART 4 - GENERAL


  1. Investigations
  2. Self incrimination
  3. Secrecy
  4. Appointment of administrator

PART 5 - OPERATION OF CASINO


  1. Maintenance of facilities
  2. Approval of layout
  3. Approval of gaming equipment and chips
  4. Application of holidays Act
  5. Observance of operating times
  6. Approval of operating times
  7. Determination of operating times by Minister

PART 6 - EXCLUSION OF PERSONS FROM CASINO


  1. Entry to and exclusion of entry from casino
  2. Grounds
  3. Enforcement
  4. Obligations of casino licensee
  5. Directions of commissioner of police
  6. Revocation of Direction

PART 7 - GAMING AND RELATED ACTIVITIES


  1. Authorised games
  2. Rules for authorised games
  3. Gaming equipment and chips
  4. Conduct of gaming
  5. Gaming by certain persons prohibited
  6. Cheating
  7. Forgery
  8. Restriction on credit
  9. Cheques
  10. Deposit accounts
  11. Redemption of cheques
  12. Proceedings etc. in relation to gaming

PART 8 - SEARCH, ENTRY AND SEIZURE


  1. Interpretation
  2. Powers of officers in casino
  3. Seizure of things not specified in warrant
  4. Consents relating to searches
  5. Search warrants
  6. Police entry
  7. Special powers of officers and police officer
  8. Restrictions affecting search of persons
  9. Disposal of gaming equipment etc. after seizure
  10. Detention of suspected person

PART 9 - OFFENCES


  1. Obstructing officer
  2. Compliance with requirement of officer
  3. False information
  4. False representation
  5. Failure to provide information
  6. Conflict of interest
  7. Bribery
  8. Conduct of directors, servants and agents
  9. Bank accounts
  10. Access to banking records
  11. Accounts and records
  12. Statement of accounts
  13. Audit
  14. Retention of records
  15. Regulations
  16. Commencement

----------------------------------------------------


REPUBLIC OF VANUATU


CASINO CONTROL ACT
NO. 6 OF 1993


Assent: 19/2/93
Commencement: 8/3/93


An Act to provide for the establishment and control of a casino in Vanuatu.


BE IT ENACTED by the President and Parliament as follows: -


PART 1


PRELIMINARY


INTERPRETATION


1. (1) In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires -


"authorised game" means a game declared under section 40 to be an authorised game for the purposes of this Act;


"authorised person" means -


(a) the Collector;

(b) an officer;

(c) an investigator; and

(d) any other person who performs in relation to this Act a function on behalf of the Government;

"authorised police officer", in relation to a direction given under section 38 or 39, means -


(a) the Commissioner of Police; and

(b) where the direction is given by a police officer authorised by the Commissioner for the purpose - that police officer;

"casino" means the part of a complex or premises, in respect of which a casino licence is issued under this Act;


"casino employee" means any person employed or permitted to work in relation to the operation of the casino;


"casino licence" means a licence granted under section 2;


"casino licence fee" means the casino licence fee prescribed under section 12;


"casino licensee" means a person who holds a casino licence;


"casino operation agreement" means an agreement entered into under section 5;


"chip purchase voucher" means a document issued to a person by the casino licensee entitling the person to be issued with chips by the licensee the face value of which is equivalent to the amount specified in the document;


"chips" means any tokens used or capable of being used in a casino in the conduct of gaming in the place of money and approved for the purpose by the Minister;


"Collector" means the Collector appointed under section 17 or any person acting under the authority of the Collector;


"game" means any authorised game notified in the Gazette under section 40 together with an account of rules for the playing thereof, by the Minister as a game that may be conducted or played in casino pursuant to a casino licence;


"gaming" means the playing in a casino of any game;


"gaming equipment" means any electrical, electronic or mechanical device or any other thing (other than chips) used, or suitable for use, in connection with gaming;


"investigator" means a person authorised under section 21(1) to conduct an investigation;


"junket" means an arrangement entered into between a promoter and the casino licensee -


(a) the primary purpose of which is to induce a person or persons to visit the casino for the purpose of participating in gaming; and

(b) under which an amount exceeding the prescribed amount is provided, directly or indirectly, for the person or either or any of those persons by the casino licensee in connection with the provision of transportation, food, beverages, lodging or entertainment in respect of the visit or for any other purpose associated with the visit;

"licence" means a casino licence;


"licensee" means a casino licensee;


"officer" means an officer appointed under section 19 and includes the Collector;


"operation", in relation to the casino, means -


(a) the conduct of gaming in the casino;

(b) the management, supervision and surveillance of the conduct of gaming in the casino;

(c) money counting in relation to the casino;

(d) accounting in relation to the casino;

(e) the provision of facilities or services in the casino, other than facilities or services relating to the gaming;

(f) advertising in relation to the casino;

(g) the use of storage areas in the casino; or

(h) any other activities incidental to, or connected with, gaming or any other facilities or services provided in the casino;

"premises" includes -


(a) a structure, building, aircraft, vehicle or vessel; and

(b) a place (whether enclosed or built upon or not);

"records", in relation to the operation of the casino, means any books, accounts, documents or other source of information of any description (however complied, recorded or stored) that concern the operation of the casino or are otherwise relevant to the administration of this Act.


PART 2


LICENSING OF CASINO


GRANT OF LICENCE BY THE MINISTER


  1. The Minister may, subject to the provisions of this Act, grant any person a licence for the operation of a casino in Vanuatu.

LAWFULNESS OF CASINO OPERATION


  1. (1) Notwithstanding nay other law but subject to the provisions of this Act, it shall be lawful for a casino licensee to operate a casino in Vanuatu.

that could not be instituted if this Act had not been enacted.


APPLICATION FOR A CASINO LICENCE


  1. Every application for a casino licence shall be made to the Minister in the prescribed form.

AGREEMENT TO PRECEDE GRANT OF A CASINO LICENCE


  1. (1) The Minister shall grant a casino licence pursuant to his powers to do so under section 2 where -

(i) the Minister for and on behalf of the State and the proposed casino licensee; or


(ii) the Minister for and on behalf of the State and some other person whom the Minister considers to be the appropriate person to be a party to the agreement with a view to the issue of a casino licence to the proposed casino licensee;

(b) those terms and conditions contained in the agreement and the provisions of this Act and any regulations made thereunder, which are to be complied with up to the time of the grant of the casino licence have been complied with.


(2) The agreement shall have no force or effect unless and until it is approved by the Council of Ministers.


SUITABILITY OF CASINO LICENSEE


  1. Prior to a casino operation agreement being entered into, the Minister shall be satisfied that the proposed casino licensee is a suitable person to be a licensee under the Act, having regard to the following requirements:

(i) is of good repute, having regard to character, honesty and integrity;


(ii) is of sound and stable financial background;

(b) in the case of the proposed casino licensee not being a natural person that it has arranged or, as the circumstances required, has, in an appropriate case, a satisfactory ownership, trust or corporate structure;

(c) that the proposed casino licensee has or is able to obtain or, where constituted by more than one person, together have or are able to obtain -


(i) financial resources that are adequate to ensure the financial viability of the casino; and


(ii) the services of persons who have sufficient experience in the management and operation of a casino;

(d) that the proposed casino licensee has or, where constituted by more than one person, together have sufficient business ability to establish and maintain a successful casino;


(e) that the proposed casino licensee has no business association with any person, body or associated who or that, in the opinion of the Minister after investigation made or caused to be made by the Minister, is not of good repute having regard to character, honesty and integrity or has undesirable or unsatisfactory financial sources;


(f) that the proposed casino licensee has no business association with any person, body or association who or that, in the opinion of the Minister after investigation made or caused to be made by the Minister, is not of good repute having regard to character, honesty and integrity or has undesirable or unsatisfactory financial sources;


(g) such other matters with respect to which the Minister determines he should be satisfied in the particular case.


FORM OF THE CASINO LICENCE


  1. (1) A licence granted under section 2 shall be in the prescribed form and shall-

(i) the date of its issue;


(ii) the date of its expiration;

(iii) the name of the casino licensee;

(iv) an address in Vanuatu specified by the licensee for the service of documents on the licensee;

(v) the address of the casino;

(vi) those areas constituting the casino;

(vii) such other particulars relating to the casino as the Minister considers necessary; and

(viii) such other particulars as are prescribed; and

(b) shall be subject to the terms and conditions specified in the agreement referred to in section 5.

(2) Where the Minister makes a decision refusing to grant a casino licence, the Minister shall give to the applicant notice in writing of the decision, and grounds for that decision.


DURATION OF CASINO LICENCE


  1. A casino licence remains in force until the expiration of the date specified in the licence as the date of expiration of the licence -

under this Act.


SURRENDER OF CASINO LICENCE


9. (1) A casino licensee may surrender the casino licence at any time.


(2) The casino licensee may not surrender the casino licence if there is an amount payable by the licensee to the Minister under section 12 or section 13.


SUSPENSION OR CANCELLATION OF CASINO LICENCE - GROUNDS


  1. (1) The Minister may suspend or cancel the casino licence where the casino licensee -
(2) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act, the Minister may, where he is satisfied that it is in the public interest to do so -

(b) cancel the casino licence.


SUSPENSION OR CANCELLATION OF CASINO LICENCE - PROCEDURES


  1. (1) Where the Minister decides to suspend or cancel a casino licence, the Minister, by notice in writing, shall request the casino licensee to show cause, within such period (being not less than 21 days after the issue of the notice) as is specified in the notice, why the casino licence should not be suspended, or cancelled, as the case may be.

(i) by notice in writing, give such direction as the Minister considers appropriate; or


(ii) suspend for such period as the Minister thinks fit, or cancel, the casino licence.

(4) Where a direction given by the Minister under subsection (3)(c)(i) is not complied with within the time specified in the notice, the Minister may suspend for such period as he or she thinks fit, or cancel, the casino licence.

(5) Where a casino licence is suspended under this Part, the Minister may, by notice in writing given to the casino licensee, at any time terminate, or reduce the period of, the suspension of the licence.

(6) Where a casino licence is suspended or cancelled under this Part, the Minister shall, by notice in writing, inform the casino licensee of the suspension or cancellation and of the grounds for the suspension or cancellation.

CASINO LICENCE FEE


  1. (1) A fee of VT1,000,000 shall be paid by the licensee to the Minister on the issue of the casino licence and on the first day of each subsequent year during the currency of the licence.

TAX


  1. (1) (a) The casino licensee shall pay tax on the gross profit derived in each month in connection with the operation of the casino.
(2) The tax is payable to the Minister by the casino licensee on or before the last working day of each month following the month in respect of which the gross profit was made.

(3) For the purposes of subsection (1) the "gross profit" derived in any month from gaming shall be calculated -

PAYMENT OF FEE AND TAX WHERE CASINO LICENCE SUSPENDED


  1. The liability of the casino licensee to pay the casino licence fee or the tax is not affected by a suspension of the casino licence and -

LIST OF PERSONS EXCLUDED FROM CASINO


  1. (1) The casino licensee shall maintain, in writing, a list of names of persons in respect of whom directions to exclude the persons from the casino are in force under subsection (1) of section 38.

APPLICATION OF LIQUOR ACT


  1. Except as otherwise provided by this Act, the Liquor Licensing Act [CAP. 52] applies in relation to the casino.

PART 3


ADMINISTRATION


APPOINTMENT OF THE COLLECTOR


  1. For the purposes of this Act, there shall be appointed by the Minister, a Collector who shall be responsible for the collection of fees and tax under this Act and who shall be in charge of the general administration of this Act.

POWERS OF THE COLLECTOR


18. The Collector -


(a) has power to do all things necessary or convenient to be done for or in connection with the performance of his functions; and

(b) has and may exercise, any of the powers of an officer.

APPOINTMENT OF OFFICERS


  1. (1) The Minister may appoint such other officers as the Minister considers necessary for the effectual administration of the Act.

DELEGATION OF POWERS


  1. (1) The Collector may, by writing delegate to an officer any of his powers or functions under this Act, and such officer shall exercise or perform such power or function, so delegated.

RIGHTS OF OFFICER ON CASINO PREMISES


  1. An officer may at anytime enter and remain on the premises of the casino for the purposes of -

POWERS


22. (1) An officer may -


(a) require a person whom the officer believes, on reasonable grounds, has the person's possession or under the person's control any gaming equipment or chips -

(i) to produce the equipment or chips to the officer for inspection or testing; or


(ii) to attend before the officer at a reasonable time and place specified by the officer and there to answer such questions, or to supply such information, relating to the equipment or chips as the officer specifies;

(b) require an interested person -

(i) to produce to the officer for inspection such records in the custody or control of the person relating to the casino or the operation of the casino as the officer specifies; or


(ii) to attend before the officer at a reasonable time and place specified by the officer and there to answer such questions, to supply such information, or to produce such records, relating to the casino or the operation of the casino, as the officer specifies;

(c) inspect or test any gaming equipment or chips or inspect such records, and take copies of, or make notes in relation to, such records, relating tot he casino or the operation of the casino, as the officer specifies;

(d) direct the casino licensee not to use any gaming equipment or chips that the officer considers to be unsatisfactory for use;

(e) receive and, if the officer thinks fit, investigate a complaint with respect to any aspect of the operation of the casino and advise the complainant of the results of any investigation; and

(f) call to the officer's assistance -

(i) another officer; or


(ii) a casino employee who, in the belief of the officer, is competent to assist the officer in the exercise of his or her powers or performance of his or her duties.

(2) A requirement under subsection (1)(a) or (b) or a direction under subsection (1)(d) may be made to a person -

(3) In this section "interested person" means -

PART 4


GENERAL


INVESTIGATIONS


  1. (1) For the purposes of this Act, the Minister may, by instrument, authorise the Collector, an officer or another person to conduct an investigation in relation to a matter specified in the instrument, other than a matter involving the commission or the possible commission of an offence against this Act or another law in force in Vanuatu.

to enable the investigation to be properly conducted.


(3) An investigator may -

(4) A person shall not, without reasonable excuse -

(5) Any person who contravenes or fails to comply with the provisions of this section shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction -

SELF INCRIMINATION


  1. A person shall not be excused from furnishing information, producing a document or answering a question pursuant to a requirement made of the person under section 23(2) on the ground that the information or answer, or the production of the document, may tend to incriminate the person; but any information furnished, document produced or answer given pursuant to a requirement under that subsection, and any information or thing (including any document) obtained as a direct or indirect consequence of the furnishing of the information, production of the document or answering of the question, as the case may be, shall not be admissible in evidence against the person in any criminal or civil proceedings, other than proceedings for an offence against the Official Secrets Act [CAP. 111].

SECRECY


  1. (1) Subject to subsection (3), a person shall not, directly or indirectly, except in the performance of duties or exercise of powers under this Act, make a record of, or divulge to any person, any information with respect to the affairs of another person acquired by the first-mentioned person in the performance of those duties or exercise of those powers.

in the performance of duties or exercise of powers under this Act.


(3) A person may -

(4) An authority or person to whom information is divulged under subsection (3), and a person or employee under the control of that authority or person, shall, in respect of that information, be subject to the same rights, privileges, obligations and liabilities under this section as if that authority, person or employee were a person performing duties under this Act and had acquired the information in the performance of those duties.

(5) Where -

a person may be required -


(c) to produce in court any document containing the information; or

(d) to divulge the information to the court.

(6) Any person who contravenes or fails to comply with the provisions of subsection (1) shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding VT200,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months or to both such fine and imprisonment.

APPOINTMENT OF ADMINISTRATION


  1. (1) Where a casino licence is suspended or cancelled under this Act, the Minister may, if he is satisfied that it is in the public interest to do so, by instrument, appoint an administrator for the purposes of this section.

PART 5


OPERATION OF CASINO


MAINTENANCE OF FACILITIES


27. The casino licensee shall -


(a) maintain the facilities and amenities of the casino in such a condition as will promote the satisfaction of patrons;

(b) ensure that the casino is at all times properly and competently conducted;

(c) ensure that all casino installations, equipment and procedures for security are available and are tested, used, operated and applied effectively; and

(d) ensure the gaming equipment and chips approved by the Minister for use in the casino are maintained in good order and condition.

APPROVAL OF LAYOUT


  1. (1) The casino licensee shall not operate the casino unless the layout of the casino is in accordance with plans and diagrams approved by the Minister.

APPROVAL OF GAMING EQUIPMENT AND CHIPS


  1. The Minister may approve gaming equipment and chips for use in the casino.

APPLICATION OF HOLIDAYS ACT


  1. The Public Holidays Act [CAP. 114] does not have the effect of limiting the days on which the casino may be operated.

OBSERVANCE OF OPERATING TIMES


  1. (1) The casino licensee shall not operate the casino otherwise than in accordance with -
(2) Any person who contravenes or fails to comply with the provisions of subsection (1) shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction -

APPROVAL OF OPERATING TIMES


32. (1) The casino licensee shall submit, for the approval of the Minister -


(a) a schedule of operating times for the casino, setting out the days on which, and hours during which, it is proposed to operate the casino; and

(b) where it is proposed to vary a schedule of operating times previously approved under this section, a schedule of operating times as proposed to be varied.

(2) The Minister may approve a schedule of operating times under this section as submitted or with such variations or subject to such conditions as the Minister thinks fit.

DETERMINATION OF OPERATING TIMES BY MINISTER


33. (1) The Minister may at anytime determine the operating times for the casino.


(2) Where the Minister makes a determination under subsection (1), he or she shall forward to the casino licensee, in writing -

PART 6


EXCLUSION OF PERSONS FROM CASINO


ENTRY TO AND EXCLUSION OF ENTRY FROM CASINO


  1. (1) No person shall have a right as against the casino licensee to enter, or remain in, the casino.

GROUNDS


  1. (1) A person shall not enter the casino during the hours of operation of the casino if the person -
(2) A person shall not enter the casino during the hours of operation of the casino if the person -

(3) A person shall not remain in the casino employee, refuses or fails to produce evidence of his or her age;

(i) appears not to understand fully the nature or consequences of gaming as it relates to the application of the approved rules of authorised games and the potential for financial loss;


(ii) appears to be under the influence of alcohol or a drug to the extent that the person could not reasonably be expected to exercise rational judgment while playing an authorised game;

(iii) appears to be under the influence of alcohol or a drug to the extent that the person is affecting the orderly functioning of the operations of the casino;

(iv) appears to be cheating, or attempting to cheat, in the casino; or

(v) has previously contravened the approved rules of an authorised game or rules of conduct in force in the casino;

(c) is not permitted, by reason of a condition prescribed by the Minister;

(d) is a person in relation to whom a direction under section 38(1) is in force.

(4) A person shall not, on being requested under subsection (3)(a) to produce evidence of his or her age, produce evidence that is false.


(5) A person is not prevented from entering, or being in, the casino on the ground only that the person is under the age of 18 years if the person -

(i) for the purpose of dining at a restaurant in the casino; or


(ii) for a purpose connected with entertainment at the casino that does not involve playing or observing the playing of an authorised game.

(6) Any person who contravenes or fails to comply with the provisions of -

ENFORCEMENT


36. (1) A person who is -


(a) a police officer;

(b) for the time being in charge of the casino; or

(c) an agent or employee of the casino licensee,

may, with such assistance as in necessary and reasonable and using such force as is necessary and reasonable, cause another person who, under section 35, may not enter, or remain in, the casino -


(d) to be prevented from entering the casino; or

(e) to be removed promptly from the casino,

as the case requires.


(2) Any person who, without reasonable excuse, obstructs or hinders a person in the exercise of a power conferred on the last-mentioned person under subsection (1) shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding VT100,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months or to both such fine and imprisonment.

OBLIGATIONS OF CASINO LICENSEE


37. (1) The casino license shall not, knowingly or recklessly -


(a) permit to enter the casino a person who is entitled to do so by virtue of section 35(1)(a) or section 35(2)(a); or

(b) fail to remove from the casino -

(i) a person in relation to whom a request to leave the casino may be made by a casino employee under subparagraphs 35(3)(b)(i), (ii), (iii) or (iv); or


(ii) a person who is not entitled to remain in the casino by virtue of section 35(3)9c).

(2) The casino licensee shall not refuse to permit a person to enter, or be in, the casino on the ground only that the person is under the age of 18 years if the person -

(i) for the purpose of dining at a restaurant in the casino; or


(ii) for a purpose connected with entertainment at the casino that does not involve playing or observing the playing of an authorised game.

(3) Any person who contravenes or fails to comply with the provisions of subsection (1) shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction -

DIRECTIONS OF COMMISSIONER OF POLICE


  1. (1) The Commissioner of Police, or a police officer authorised by the Commissioner for the purpose, may, by notice in writing, direct the casino licensee to exclude from the casino a person specified in the notice.

REVOCATION OF DIRECTION


  1. (1) The Commissioner of Police, or a police officer authorised by the Commissioner for the purpose, may, upon application made to him or her by the person in respect of whom a direction to the casino licensee was given by an authorised police officer under section 38(1), revoke the direction if the authorised police officer is satisfied that the person is a fit and proper person to be permitted to enter, and participate in gaming in, the casino.

PART 7


GAMING AND RELATED ACTIVITIES


AUTHORISED GAMES


  1. (1) The Minister may, by order published in the Gazette, declare any game as a game that may be conducted or played in a casino pursuant to a casino licence.

RULES FOR AUTHORISED GAMES


  1. (1) Where the Minister declares a game to be an authorised game under section 40, the Minister shall, by notice published in the Gazette, approve the rules under which that game is to be played.

GAMING EQUIPMENT AND CHIPS


  1. (1) A person, other than a person authorised by the Minister, shall not, except while in the casino, have in his or her possession any gaming equipment or chips approved by the Minister for use in the casino.

CONDUCT OF GAMING


43. (1) The casino licensee -


(a) shall cause all playing cards dealt in the course of gaming in the casino to be dealt from a card shoe;

(b) shall not issue, or cause or permit to be issued, any chips for gaming in the casino unless the chips are paid for -

(i) in money to the face value of the chips; or


(ii) by chip purchase vouchers issued in accordance with the regulations;

(c) shall not conduct an authorised game, or permit an authorised game to be conducted, in the casino otherwise than in accordance with -

(i) the approved rules for that game; and


(ii) any restriction or condition specified in a notice under section 40(3) in relation to that game;

(d) shall not, in relation to the playing of an authorised game, permit wagers to be placed in the casino otherwise than by means of chips unless the approved rules of the game require, or provide for, the placing of wagers in money;

(e) shall cause all wagers won in the course of playing an authorised game in the casino to be paid for in full without deduction of any commission or levy other than a commission or levy provided for in the approved rules of that game;

(f) shall, during the times the casino is open to the public for gaming, at the request of a patron of the casino, cause -

(i) chip purchase vouchers to be exchanged for chips;


(ii) chips to be exchanged for other chips; or

(iii) chips or chip purchase vouchers to be redeemed for money of a value equivalent to the face value of the chips or chip purchase vouchers; and

(g) shall not require any deposit, charge, commission or levy (whether directly or indirectly and whether or not it is claimed to be refundable) to be paid by a person for the person to enter the casino or, except as may be provided by the approved rules of a game, to take part in gaming in the casino.

(2) Every casino licensee who contravenes or fails to comply with the provisions of subsection (1) shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction -

GAMING BY CERTAIN PERSONS PROHIBITED


  1. (1) An authorised person shall not play a game in the casino except to the extent that it may be necessary to do so -
(2) A casino employee shall not solicit or accept any gratuity, consideration or other benefit from a patron in the casino.

(3) The casino licensee shall not knowingly permit a person under the age of 18 years to play any game in the casino.

(4) A person under the age of 18 years who plays a game in the casino is guilty of an offence punishable, on conviction, by a fine not exceeding VT100,000.

(5) Any authorized person who contravenes or fails to comply with the provisions of subsection (1) is guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding VT200,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months or to both such fine and imprisonment.

(6) Every casino licensee who contravenes or fails to comply with subsection (3) is guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction -

CHEATING


45. (1) A person shall not, in the casino, dishonestly -


(a) by trick, device, sleight of hand or representation;

(b) by a scheme or practice;

(c) by the use of gaming equipment; or

(d) by the use of an instrument or article of a type used in connection with gaming, or appearing to be of a type used in connection with gaming, or of any other thing,

obtain for himself or herself or another person, or induce a person to deliver, give or credit to him or her or another person, any money, chips, benefit, advantage, valuable consideration or security.


(2) A person shall not use, or have in his or her possession, in he casino -

(3) Subsection (2)(a) and (b) do not prohibit the possession of a thing by a person in charge of the casino, an agent or employee of the casino licensee, an inspector or a police officer if that thing has been seized by any of those persons from another person for destruction or for use as evidence in proceedings for an offence.

(4) Any person who contravenes or fails to comply with subsection (1) is guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding VT1,000,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 5 years or to both such fine and imprisonment.

(5) Any person who contravenes or fails to comply with subsection (2) is guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding VT500,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 2 years or to both such fine and imprisonment.

FORGERY


46. (1) A person shall not -


(a) forge or counterfeit chips, a chip purchase voucher, a licence or a form of identification used for the purposes of this Act; or

(b) knowingly utter counterfeit chips or knowingly utter a forged or counterfeit chip purchase voucher, licence or such a form of identification.

(2) Any person who contravenes or fails to comply with subsection (1) is guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding VT1,000,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 5 years or to both such fine and imprisonment.

RESTRICTION ON CREDIT


47. (1) The casino licence shall not, in relation to gaming in the casino -


(a) extend credit in any form to a person;

(b) accept a credit wager from any person;

(c) provide cash or chips to any person upon a blank cheque;

(d) make a loan to a person;

(e) provide cash or chips to any person in respect of a credit card or debit card transaction; or

(f) wholly or partially release or discharge a debt without the approval of the Minister.

(2) Every casino who contravenes or fails to comply with the provisions of subsection (1) is guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction -

CHEQUES


  1. (1) The casino licensee shall not accept a cheque, other than a cheque of kind, and otherwise than in accordance with the procedures, specified in the regulations.

(i) if the casino licensee is a body corporate, to fine not exceeding VT500,000; or


(ii) if the casino licensee is natural person to a fine not exceeding VT100,00; or

(b) subsection (3) is guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction -

DEPOSIT ACCOUNTS


49. (1) The casino licensee may establish for a natural person a deposit account.


(2) The casino licensee may issue to a person who establishes a deposit account -

not exceeding in total value the amount standing to the credit of the account at the time of issue of the chips, vouchers, money or cheque.


(3) The casino licensee shall credit to the deposit account of a person -

(4) The casino licensee shall debit the deposit account of a person with -

(i) the face value of chips or vouchers;


(ii) the amount of money; or

(iii) the amount of a cheque,

issued to the person under subsection (2); and


(b) the amount of any money transferred by the person from that account directly to an account operated by the person with a financial institution.

(5) The casino licensee shall not credit an amount to the deposit account of a person, or debit the deposit account of a person with an amount, otherwise than in accordance with this section.

REDEMPTION OF CHEQUES


  1. A person may, with the agreement of the casino licensee, redeem any cheque accepted from the person by the casino licensee, at anytime prior to presentation, or the expiration of the period specified for presentation, of the cheque for payment under section 48(2), by presenting at the cash desk of the casino -

the amount of the cheque, or the sum of the amounts of the cheques, to be redeemed.


PROCEEDINGS ETC. IN RELATION TO GAMING


  1. (1) Notwithstanding any other law of Vanuatu, an action leis at the suit of the casino licensee to recover the amount of a cheque drawn in respect of a gaming debt incurred in the casino and subsequently dishonoured.

PART 8


SEARCH, ENTRY AND SEIZURE


INTERPRETATION


  1. (1) In this Part, unless the contrary intention appears -

"offence" means any conduct (whether constituted by an act or omission) engaged in which constitutes, or which is believed on reasonable grounds constitutes -


(a) an offence against this Act; or

(b) an offence that is to be taken to be related to an offence against this Act.

(2) For the purposes of this Part, a thing is connected with a particular offence if -

POWERS OF OFFICERS IN CASINO


53. (1) An officer may -


(a) enter any premises; and

(b) search the premises for, and seize, any thing that the officer believes on reasonable grounds to be connected with an offence,

if the entry, search or seizure, as the case requires, is made -


(c) pursuant to a warrant issued under section 56(2);

(d) with the consent of the occupier of the premises; or

(e) pursuant to an order of a court.

(2) An officer may -

if the search or seizure, as the case requires, is made -


(c) pursuant to a warrant issued under section 56(4);

(d) with the consent of the person; or

(e) pursuant to an order of a court.

SEIZURE OF THINGS NOT SPECIFIED IN WARRANT


  1. If, in the course of searching under a warrant issued under section 56 for things connected with a particular offence, an officer finds a thing that the officer believes on reasonable grounds to be -

the officer may seize that thing if the officer has reasonable grounds for believing that it is necessary to effect the seizure in order to prevent the thing being -


(c) concealed, lost or destroyed;

(d) sold or otherwise disposed of; or

(e) used in connection with an offence or gaming in the casino.

CONSENT RELATING TO SEARCHES


  1. (1) Before seeking the consent of a person for the purposes of section 53(1)(d) or (2)(d), an officer shall inform the person that the person may refuse to give that consent.

SEARCH WARRANTS


  1. (1) Where an officer has reasonable grounds for suspecting that there may be, or that, within the next following 72 hours, there may be, in or on any premises, a thing of a particular kind connected with a particular offence, the officer may -
(2) Where an application is made under subsection (1) for a warrant to search premises, the magistrate may, subject to subsection (5), issue a warrant authorising an officer named in the warrant with such assistance and by such force as is necessary and reasonable -

(3) Where an officer has reasonable grounds for suspecting that there may be a thing of a particular kind connected with a particular offence -

the officer may -


(d) lay before a magistrate any information on oath setting out those grounds; and

(e) apply for the issue of a warrant to search the person for things of that kind.

(4) Where an application is made under subsection (3) for a warrant to search a person, the magistrate may, subject to subsection (5), issue a warrant authorising an officer named in the warrant with such assistance and by such force as is necessary and reasonable -

(5) A magistrate shall not issue a warrant under this section unless -

(6) A warrant shall -

POLICE ENTRY


  1. (1) A police officer -

may at anytime enter, and be in, any part of the casino.


(2) Subsection (1) shall not be taken to affect the power of a police officer under any other law of Vanuatu to enter, and be in, the casino.

SPECIAL POWERS OF OFFICERS AND POLICE OFFICERS


  1. (1) Where an officer enters the casino under section 21(1), the officer may search the casino for, and seize, anything that the officer suspects on reasonable grounds to be connected with an offence.

the officer may search a person for the thing and, if the thing is found in the course of the search, seize it.


(3) Where a police officer suspects, on reasonable grounds, that a particular thing is connected with a particular offence, the police officer may search a person, or enter premises and search, for the thing and, if the thing is found in the course of the search, seize it.

(4) An officer or police officer shall not exercise a power under this section in relation to a thing unless -

(5) If, in the course of searching, in accordance with this section, for a thing connected with a particular offence, an officer or police officer finds -

and the officer or police officer, as the case requires, believes, on reasonable grounds, that it is necessary to seize that thing in order to prevent its concealment, loss or destruction, or its use in committing, continuing or repeating the offence or the other offence, the officer or police officer, as the case requires, may seize the thing.


RESTRICTIONS AFFECTING SEARCH OF PERSONS


  1. (1) Where an officer or police officer may search a person under this Part, the officer or police officer, as the case requires, may also search -
(2) In conducting a search of a person under this Part, an officer or police officer shall not use more force, or subject a person to greater indignity, than is reasonable and necessary in order to conduct the search.

(3) A person shall not be searched under the Part except by a person of the same sex.

(4) Nothing in this Part shall be taken to authorise a person to carry out a search by way of an examination of a body cavity of a person.

DISPOSAL OF GAMING EQUIPMENT ETC. AFTER SEIZURE


  1. (1) Where a thing, other than an illegal thing, is seized under section 53, 54 or 58 -

(i) that the thing be returned to the person from whom it was seized or to the person occupying, or in charge of, the relevant premises, as the case requires; or


(ii) that the thing shall be forfeited to the State.


(2) Where an illegal thing is seized under section 53, 54 or 58, the thing is forfeited to the State.

(3) In this section -

"illegal thing" means -


(a) a bogus or counterfeit chip;

(b) a card that has been marked or otherwise tampered with;

(c) dice that has been marked, loaded or otherwise tampered with; or

(d) any other device or thing that permits or facilitates cheating.

DETENTION OF SUSPECTED PERSON


  1. (1) Where -

suspects on reasonable grounds that a person in the casino is contravening, or attempting to contravene, a provision of this Act, the person in charge, agent, employee or officer may detain the suspected person in a suitable place in the casino until the arrival at the place of detention of a police officer.


(2) A person may not be detained under this section unless -

PART 9


OFFENCES


OBSTRUCTING OFFICER


  1. Any person who wilfully obstructs, hinders, threatens or intimidates an officer in the exercise of the officer's powers or the performance of the officer's functions under this Act is guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding VT100,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months or to both such fine and imprisonment.

COMPLIANCE WITH REQUIREMENT OF OFFICER


  1. Any person who, without reasonable excuse, refuses or fails to comply with a requirement made of the person or directions given to the person by an officer in the exercise of the officer's powers or the performance of the officer's functions under this Act is guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding VT100,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months or to both such fine and imprisonment.

FALSE INFORMATION


  1. Any person who, in relation to any matter arising under this Act, knowingly or recklessly -

is guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction -


(i) if the offender is a body corporate, to a fine not exceeding VT1,000,000; or


(ii) if the offender is a natural person, to a fine not exceeding VT200,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months or to both such fine and imprisonment.

FALSE REPRESENTATION


65. Any person who -


(a) impersonates the holder of a licence or of a form of identification used for the purposes of this Act; or

(b) falsely represents himself or herself to be an officer or other authorised person,

is guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding VT200,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months or to both such fine and imprisonment.


FAILURE TO PROVIDE INFORMATION


  1. Any person who, without reasonable excuse, fails to furnish information or a document that the person is required under this Act to furnish, is guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction -

CONFLICT OF INTEREST


67. (1) An official shall not knowingly or recklessly -


(a) have, directly or indirectly -

(i) any business or financial association with; or


(ii) any business or financial interest in any matter in conjunction with,

a casino licensee; or


(b) be employed, in any capacity, by a casino licensee.

(2) Where a person ceases to be an official, the person shall not knowingly or recklessly solicit or accept employment from, or have any business or financial association with, a casino licensee within the period of 1 year after so ceasing to be an official.

(3) A casino licensee shall not knowingly or recklessly -

(i) any business or financial association with; or


(ii) any business or financial interest in any matter in conjunction with,

an official; or


(b) employ in any capacity an official.

(4) Where a person ceases to be an official, a casino licensee shall not knowingly or recklessly employ in any capacity, or have any business or financial association with, the person within the period of 1 year after the person so ceased to be an official.

(5) An official who knowingly has, directly or indirectly -

a person who is the applicant for a casino employee's licence shall, as soon as practicable, notify the Minister in writing of the association or interest.


(6) Any person who contravenes or fails to comply with -

(i) if the offender is a body corporate, to a fine not exceeding VT2,500,000; or


(ii) if the offender is a natural person, to a fine not exceeding VT500,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 2 years or to both such fine and imprisonment;

(c) subsection (5) shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding VT100,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months or to both such fine and imprisonment.

(7) In this section "official" means an authorised person, other than a casino employee.


BRIBERY


68. (1) An authorised person shall not -


(a) ask for, receive, obtain or agree to receive or obtain any money, property or benefit of any kind for himself or herself or for another person -

(i) to forego or neglect his or her duty or to influence him or her in the performance of his or her functions under this Act; or


(ii) on account of anything already done or omitted to be done, or to be afterwards done or omitted to be done, by him or her in the performance of those functions; or

(b) use, or take advantage of, his or her position as an authorised person in order improperly to gain a benefit or advantage for, or to facilitate the commission of an offence by, another person.

(2) Any person who contravenes or fails to comply with subsection (1) shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding VT500,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 2 years or to both such fine and imprisonment.

(3) A person who gives to, confers upon, or procures for, an authorised person, or any other person, any money, property or benefit of any kind -

is guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction -


(d) if the offender is a body corporate, to a fine not exceeding VT2,500,000; or

(e) if the offender is a natural person, to a fine not exceeding VT500,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 2 years, or to both such fine and imprisonment.

CONDUCT OF DIRECTORS, SERVANTS AND AGENTS


  1. (1) Where, in proceedings for an offence against this Act, it is necessary to establish the state of mind of a body corporate in relation to particular conduct, it is sufficient to show -

(b) that the director, servant or agent had the state of mind.


(2) Any conduct engaged in on behalf of a body corporate by a director, servant or agent of the body corporate within the scope of his or her actual or apparent authority shall be taken, for the purposes of a prosecution for an offence against this Act, to have been engaged in also by the body corporate unless the body corporate establishes that the body corporate took reasonable precautions and exercised due diligence to avoid the conduct.

(3) Where in proceedings for an offence against this Act, it is necessary to establish the state of mind of a person other than a body corporate in relation to particular conduct, it is sufficient to show -

(4) Any conduct engaged in on behalf of a person other than a body corporate by a servant or agent of the person within the scope of his or her actual or apparent authority shall be taken, for the purposes of a prosecution for an offence against this Act, to have been engaged in also by the first-mentioned person unless the first-mentioned person establishes that the first-mentioned person took reasonable precautions and exercised due diligence to avoid the conduct.

(5) Where -

the person is not liable to be punished by imprisonment for that offence.


(6) A reference is subsection (1) or (3) to the state of mind of a person; and

(7) A reference in this section to engaging in conduct includes a reference to failing or refusing to engage in conduct.

PART 10


FINANCIAL


BANK ACCOUNTS


  1. (1) The casino licensee shall open and maintain separate bank accounts as approved by the Minister, at a bank or banks in Vanuatu for use for all banking transactions arising in relation to the operation of the casino or the casino operation agreement.

ACCESS TO BANKING RECORDS


  1. (1) The Minister may, by written notice to a bank referred to in section 70, require the bank to give an officer, on the day and during the house, specified in the notice access to a statement of an account referred to in that section and such other particulars relating to the account as are specified in the notice.

ACCOUNTS AND RECORDS


72. The casino licensee shall -


(a) cause to be kept in Vanuatu, in respect of the transactions and affairs of the casino licensee relating to the operation of the casino, proper accounts and records in accordance with the accounting principles generally applied in commercial practice; and

(b) do all things necessary to ensure that, in relation to the operation of the casino -

(i) payments out of the moneys of the casino licensee are correctly made and properly authorised;


(ii) adequate control is maintained over the incurring of liabilities by the casino licensee; and

(iii) adequate control is maintained over the assets of, or in the custody of, the casino licensee/

STATEMENT OF ACCOUNTS


  1. (1) The casino licensee shall, as soon as practicable but not later than 90 days after the end of each financial year, lodge with the Minister, financial statements and accounts in the prescribed form, including -

that give a true and fair view of the financial operations of the casino licensee in relation to the operation of the casino.


(2) Every casino licensee who contravenes or fails to comply with subsection (1) is guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction -

AUDIT


  1. (1) The casino licensee shall, as soon as practicable after the end of each financial year, cause the books, accounts and financial statements of the casino licensee in relation to the casino to be audited by a person approved by the Minister.

RETENTION OF RECORDS


  1. (1) The casino licensee shall keep in the casino all records relating to transactions less than 7 years old that relate to the casino operation agreement or the operation of the casino.

REGULATIONS


  1. (1) The Minister may make regulations, not inconsistent with this Act, prescribing matters -
(2) Without limiting the generality of subsection (1), the regulations may -

(i) the sitting of gaming tables, gaming equipment, counting rooms, cages and other facilities provided for operations in the casino;


(ii) the manner of installation of any closed circuit television system, the position and field of coverage of cameras associated with the system and the height of the cameras above the gaming operations in the casino;

(iii) the position and type of any catwalk surveillance system for use in connection with the direct visual monitoring of operations of the casino;

(iv) the communications facilities provided for persons maintaining operations in the casino, whether by means of a closed circuit television system, a catwalk surveillance system or by some other means; and

(v) the office and related facilities to be provided for inspectors;

(k) prescribe procedures for the payment of winning wagers;

(l) prescribe procedures for the supervision and control of the counting of money;

(m) specify the amount, or prescribing procedures for specifying the amount, of any bet to be made in connection with the playing of an authorised game;

(n) prescribe procedures for the reconciliation of disputes arising out of the conduct of gaming in the casino;

(o) prescribe accounts or other records to be kept by the casino licensee;

(p) prescribe requirements to be observed by the casino licensee in relation to the publication of information concerning the casino and its activities;

(q) make provision in relation to notices to be displayed in the casino licensee;

(r) make provision in relation to the control of junkets;

(s) prescribe criteria for the grant of a casino licence or a casino employee's licence, including matters relating to the control -

(i) of any corporation affected by this Act;


(ii) of substantial shareholders of, or foreign participation in, such a corporation;

(iii) of persons who are associates of such a corporation;

(t) prescribe conditions to be applicable to a casino licence;

(u) require that any matter affected by the regulations be subject to the approval, or satisfaction, of a specified body, or a person holding or occupying a particular office, so as to authorise such a body or person to exercise a discretionary authority; or

(v) prescribe fees for the purposes of this Act;

(w) prescribe, for offences against the regulations, penalties not exceeding -

(i) if the offender is a body corporate, a fine of VT250,000; or


(ii) if the offender is a natural person, a fine of VT50,000.


COMMENCEMENT


77. This Act shall come into force on the date of its publication in the Gazette.


----------------------------------


PacLII: Copyright Policy | Disclaimers | Privacy Policy | Feedback
URL: http://www.paclii.org/vu/legis/num_act/cca1993166