Jamaica: Parliament approves more stringent casino regulations

As part of the regulations each applicant for a casino license must, among other things, ensure the development of one or more hotels consisting of at least 2,000 rooms. It also stipulates that at least 1,000 rooms must be available for occupancy before the casino opens.
Addressing Parliament on the matter, Finance Minister Audley Shaw noted that in the first instance not more than three licenses will be granted and stressed that his Ministry will be closely monitoring the operations to ensure the expected economic benefits are realised.

“These three approved developers are expected to apply to the Casino Gaming Commission for a casino gaming license and their operations will be regulated by the Commission to ensure strict adherence to the national regulatory guidelines and local financial regulations,”
“The Ministry of Finance will also, through the relevant departments and agencies, examining the operations of the integrated resort developments to ensure that the expected economic benefits for the country are realized,” Shaw said.

However MP for Eastern Kingston and Port Royal, Phillip Paulwell, strongly believes that putting a license and room limit will not allow for adequate development and asked that it be revisited. “In the context of the international investment experience, the recession that has been ongoing, it is hardly likely at this time that we are going to be able to entice investments to that extent and certainly in Port Royal I think casino gaming would be quite suited for that type of heritage tourism project,” Mr. Paulwell commented.

Meanwhile, the Finance Minister says there is no restriction for the granting of licenses to operate gaming lounges which are located in the assigned zones for casino resorts. “So that has now been freed up so those people who wish to operate lounges of between 20 to 150 machines outside of the casinos are privileged to do those applications,” Shaw pointed.
Tourism Minister Ed Bartlett said the Government does not anticipate a proliferation of casino hotels across the island. He said that influenced the Government's decision to limit the licence to three.

The tourism minister said among the criteria for the qualification of the licence is that applicants must make an additional us$ 1 billion to improve room stock by 2,000. He said an existing facility has indicated it would add 3,000 rooms, golf course, marine facilities and a convention, in order to qualify for a casinos licence.