Grenada another step closer to legalizing casinos

Should the bill in its original form be passed will allow for hotel owners of 300 rooms and more apply for a casino license within their property.

Oliver Joseph the Planning and Economic Affairs Minister who wrote the bill said that the legislation was drafted following a review of the impact of casino gambling on other CARICOM countries.

“This bill will help us to do what God wants us to do … our tourism sector demands more entertainment. We have the opportunity now to redesign our tourism sector so that it can bring great benefits to our people.” Said Tourism Minister Alexandria Otway-Noel

“The casino must be on the premises. You cannot have the hotel in one location like St George and the casino in St David,” he continued.

“No person under 18 or locals will be able to go into a casino to participate in the activities,” he said.

However the bill excludes locals from entering and gambling inside the casino which has caused some opposition from government legislator Tobias Clement saying it is in contravention of the rights of nationals.

“That section of the bill appears to be giving more rights to the visitor than a local with regard to gambling rights as it is restricting their movement and right to assembly. You cannot tell people how to spend their money,” he said, while urging Parliament to carefully review and amend the legislation.

Under the bill, Grenadians would be fined EC$10,000 for gambling at a local casino. The same fine applies to underage persons.

Prime Minister Dr Keith Mitchell had objected to the original fine of EC$100,000, saying “this is ridiculously too high”.