Puerto Rico kickstarts casino reopening process

Uganda’s Consul General to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Ambassador Henry Mayega, (pictured above) has been recalled along with other consulate officials following allegations of unauthorised gambling activities within the Ugandan Consulate in Dubai. This scandal has sparked an official investigation to identify those responsible for the illicit operations.

State Minister for Foreign Affairs, Henry Okello Oryem, confirmed the investigation on Monday, expressing deep regret over the incident. He clarified that the officials were recalled to assist with the investigation, not expelled as some reports had suggested. Oryem stated that the outcome of the investigation would determine whether the officials could return to their posts. He reassured the public that Uganda’s relationship with Dubai remains strong despite the controversy, which he described as “a small storm in a teacup.”

The issue was first brought to light by Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs, Haruna Nkunyingi Muwada, during a parliamentary session last month. Muwada criticised the lack of proper guidance provided to Uganda’s diplomatic missions, attributing the scandal to the widespread appointment of politically affiliated diplomats who, he claimed, often lack sufficient knowledge of foreign policy. He warned that the incident could have broader implications, potentially leading to stricter screening for Ugandans entering the UAE.

The recall of Ambassador Mayega follows closely on the heels of another diplomatic controversy involving Uganda’s High Commissioner to Canada, Joy Ruth Acheng. Acheng was declared a “persona non grata” and ordered to leave Canada by 21 August, 2024, due to unresolved issues.

There is no doubt an urgent need for stronger oversight and clearer guidelines for Uganda’s diplomatic missions to prevent further damage to the country’s international standing. The allegations suggest that privately procured gambling machines, shipped under diplomatic cover between Russia and the Middle East, ended up being operated at the Ugandan Consulate in Dubai. This has raised serious questions about the criteria used in selecting Uganda’s representatives abroad, their competence, and the extent of their mandate.

State Minister Oryem assured that the investigation aims to identify the actual officials involved before any further action is taken by the government. He reiterated that if the officials are found guilty, they will not return to Dubai, but if they are innocent, they will be reinstated. Oryem also highlighted that Uganda’s relationship with Dubai has not been affected by the unfolding events, maintaining that it is a minor issue in the grand scheme of their diplomatic relations.

Shadow Minister Muwada has been vocal about the need for reform in Uganda’s diplomatic appointments. He pointed out that a significant number of ambassadors and foreign service staff are political appointees from the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM), which he believes contributes to incidents like this. Muwada’s concerns reflect a broader call for merit-based appointments and better training for diplomats to ensure they are well-versed in foreign policy and diplomatic protocols.

The scandal has also brought to light the potential repercussions for Ugandans traveling to the UAE. Muwada warned that the incident could lead to stricter screening processes for Ugandans, complicating travel and business relations between the two countries.

The recall of Ambassador Henry Mayega and the ongoing investigation into the alleged casino operations at the Ugandan Consulate in Dubai highlight significant issues within Uganda’s diplomatic corps. The incident calls for immediate reforms for all diplomatic missions to operate with integrity and professionalism, safeguarding their country’s international reputation.

China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi stressed the urgency of regional cooperation to combat cross-border crimes. Wang?highlighted recent joint operations between China, Myanmar, Laos, and Thailand, which resulted in the arrest of over 50,000 individuals involved in gambling and fraud. ?

Wang called for stronger border controls, improved intelligence sharing, and continued joint efforts to apprehend and repatriate criminals. He emphasised that sustained regional stability depends on consistent cooperation among neighbouring countries.  

According to a report by Global Times, Chinese experts have praised Wang's proposal, noting that it reflects China's strategic approach to fostering long-term regional stability through practical cooperation. The Ninth Lancang-Mekong Cooperation (LMC) Foreign Ministers' Meeting, held in Chiang Mai, Thailand, reinforced this commitment, with leaders from six countries issuing a joint statement to combat cross-border crimes. Chinese observers underscored the importance of collective efforts in addressing the spillover effects of crimes like drug trafficking and smuggling, which threaten both regional and global security.?

Last week, Wang met with Myanmar's leader Min Aung Hlaing in Nay Pyi Taw, focusing on enhancing cooperation to combat cross-border crimes, particularly online gambling and telecom fraud. Min emphasised Myanmar's commitment to China as a trustworthy neighbour and expressed his willingness to strengthen ties, especially in law enforcement. He underscored the importance of collaboration in securing both nations' interests, particularly in cracking down on activities that threaten regional stability. 

Min reiterated Myanmar's support for China's sovereignty and the one-China principle. The discussion also covered advancing Belt and Road cooperation, with both leaders expressing a desire to strengthen partnerships in various sectors, including infrastructure, agriculture, and energy. ?

Wang, meanwhile, reaffirmed China's support for Myanmar's sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity, emphasising non-interference in Myanmar's internal affairs. He praised the resilience of China-Myanmar relations, which have weathered the evolving international landscape.  

Dismissed Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo reportedly left the Philippines in July, according to Senator Risa Hontiveros. During a Senate plenary session, Hontiveros revealed that Guo had departed the country and was in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, by July 18.  

The senator stated that Guo used her Philippine passport to exit the country and later travelled to Singapore to reunite with her family, who had flown in from China. Hontiveros expressed outrage, questioning how Guo managed to leave despite assurances from the Bureau of Immigration (BI) that she would be barred from departing the country.  

Earlier, the Philippines’ Office of the Ombudsman ousted Guo from her mayoral post. According to the Ombudsman’s probe, Guo’s connections to Baofu Land Development Inc., which controlled the property housing the illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) operations, persisted even after she assumed the mayoral office in 2022. ??

Following Hontiveros' revelations, Senator Raffy Tulfo echoed concerns about the possibility that Guo left the country on a chartered plane. Tulfo highlighted the lack of adequate processing centres for passengers of private aircraft, noting that these individuals could bypass standard immigration procedures. He emphasised the need to trace any chartered or private planes that left the country on the day of Guo's departure and to identify the customs, immigration, and quarantine officials on duty at that time.   

In a related development, Immigration Commissioner Norman Tansingco disclosed that intelligence reports indicated Guo left the Philippines without passing through immigration controls. Tansingco confirmed that Guo had flown to Malaysia and subsequently to Singapore. He noted that although Guo's name was listed on the Department of Justice's immigration lookout bulletin, her departure was not recorded in the BI's system, raising concerns about potential lapses in monitoring informal exit points managed by other aviation or maritime agencies.  

Amid these conflicting reports, Guo's lawyer, Stephen David, maintained that she was still in the Philippines. David stated that he spoke with Guo online on Sunday, and she assured him that she had not left the country. He added that Guo had recently sworn under oath before a notary public in Bulacan, further affirming her presence in the Philippines. David acknowledged the potential legal repercussions if the notarization was conducted without Guo's physical presence and pledged to follow up on Senator Hontiveros' claims.  

The controversy surrounding Guo's whereabouts has left many questions unanswered. While senators continue to probe the circumstances of her reported departure, the BI faces scrutiny over its failure to track her movements. As investigations proceed, the truth behind Guo's location and the implications for Philippine law enforcement and immigration protocols remain in the spotlight.?

The Catholic Church's long-held view of gambling as a minor vice is now being reconsidered in light of the growing acceptance and accessibility of sports betting. An article in the US Catholic press explores the changing gambling sector, particularly highlighting the emergence of "platforms like DraftKings".

Sports gambling in the US has seen explosive growth, with the industry expanding by over 20 percent annually in the past five years. The American Gaming Association reports a staggering increase in the total amount wagered (handle) from $6.7 billion in 2018 to $120 billion by 2023. Notably, USA Today reported that a record 67.8 million people placed bets on the Super Bowl last February.

The US Catholic stated that once the Super Bowl was a family-friendly outing filled with popcorn, hot dogs, and perhaps a beer, but has now taken on a new dimension. Today, adult fans can place bets on the game right from their seats, wagering on everything from the next base hit to the final score. Across the country, ballparks are now equipped with betting kiosks, and mobile apps make it possible to gamble anytime, anywhere.

The expansion of legalised gambling can be traced back to states choosing to capitalise on the revenue potential of lotteries, a decision that shifted gambling from the fringes of society into the mainstream. This trend culminated in the 2018 US Supreme Court decision to overturn the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act, which had largely confined sports betting to Nevada. In response, 38 states and the District of Columbia have since legalised some form of sports betting, resulting in a significant new revenue stream for governments—a revenue stream that is growing rapidly and might even be fostering its own form of dependence.

The primary beneficiaries of this rapid expansion have been the gambling operators, both physical and digital, alongside marketing firms that have successfully normalised sports betting in the public consciousness. State and local governments have also profited from this trend, collecting significant tax revenue as sports betting becomes more widespread. But amidst this surge, one critical question remains: Who is protecting the vulnerable?

The article stated that gambling addiction, like any other addiction, can consume lives, . The fallout from sports gambling doesn't just affect the gambler; it ensnares their loved ones in a web of financial ruin and emotional pain. Research from the National Council on Problem Gambling indicates that the risk of addiction has risen by 30 percent between 2018 and 2021, with approximately 7 million Americans now grappling with problem gambling.

The Church offers limited guidance on gambling. The Catechism of the Catholic Church considers gambling a generally acceptable vice, but it warns that the "passion for gambling risks becoming an enslavement." It further states that gambling becomes "morally unacceptable" when it deprives someone of the means to provide for themselves or others.

The troubling reality is that the dangers of gambling addiction often only become apparent once a person is already ensnared. With the proliferation of gambling opportunities across America and the availability of the internet, what was once seen as harmless fun has become a perilous experiment for many.

The widespread acceptance of sports betting has unleashed a cultural Pandora's box, with little consideration for the personal and familial devastation that is likely to follow, according to US Catholic.