Interpretation

(1) In this Act, except if the context otherwise requiresCAP. 104. “AML/CFT obligation” has the meaning given in the Money Laundering and Terrorism (Prevention) Act; “approval” means an approval that may be granted by the Board under this Act or regulations made under this Act, but excludes a gaming licence; “associate” has the meaning given in sub-section (2); “Board” means the Gaming Control Board established under section 4; “Commissioner” means the officer for the time being performing the duties of Commissioner of Income Tax and includes any officer duly authorised to act on his behalf; “common gaming house” includes– (a) any place kept or used for gaming, to which the public has or may have access; and 7 (b) any place kept for habitual gaming, whether the public or any class of the public has or may have access thereto or not, Provided that the place shall be deemed to be “used” for gaming even if it is used for that purpose on one occasion only; “condition” means a condition attached to a gaming licence or to an approval and includes a condition as varied in accordance with section 5A; “foreign regulatory authority” means an authority in a jurisdiction outside Belize which exercises a regulatory function similar to that of the Board; “game of chance” includes a game of chance and skill combined and pretended game of chance or of chance and skill combined; “gaming” means the playing of any game of chance for winnings in money’s worth; “licensed gaming premises” means premises in respect of which a gaming licence is for the time being in force in respect of those “licensee”, in relation to licensed gaming premises, means the holder of the gaming licence for the time being in force in respect of those premises; “lottery” includes any game, method or device whereby money or money’s worth is distributed or allotted in any manner depending upon, or to be determined by, chance or lot, held, drawn, exercised or managed; “Minister” means the Minister for the time being responsible for “money” includes a cheque, banknote, postal order or any token representing money; 8 “person” includes any company or association or body of persons, corporate or un-incorporate; “tax” means gaming tax imposed under section 9 of this Act; “winnings” include winnings of any kind. (2) A person is an associate of a licensee or an applicant for a gaming licence if the person– (a) holds or will hold any relevant financial interest, or is or will be entitled to exercise any relevant power, whether on his own behalf or on behalf of any other person, in the licensee or applicant, and by virtue of that interest or power, is able or will be able to exercise significant influence over or with respect to the operation of that premises to be used for gaming; or (b) holds or will hold any relevant position, whether on his own behalf or on behalf of any other person, in the business of the licensee or applicant. (3) For the purposes of sub-section (2)– (a) “relevant financial interest” means, in relation to a gaming business, five per cent or more of the voting capital of the business; (b) “relevant position”, in relation to a gaming business, means the position of director, manager or secretary, or other executive position, however that position is designated; and (c) “relevant power” means any power, whether exercisable by voting or otherwise, and 9 whether exercisable alone or in association with others– (i) to participate in any directorial, managerial or executive decision; or (ii) to elect or appoint any person to any relevant position. CAP. 109.