Licence to deal - More casino resorts on horizon as Princess targets winter opening

WESTERN BUREAU:

The granting of Jamaica’s first casino gaming licence is expected to pave the way for additional integrated resort developments (IRDs), with at least three other investors, including for the proposed Hard Rock Hotel in St James, already expressing interest in entering the sector.

Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett, who welcomed the awarding of the country’s inaugural casino operator’s licence to Adamas Grand Casino Limited for the Princess Grand Jamaica Resort in Green Island, Hanover, said he expects the property’s casino to begin operations ahead of the peak winter tourist season.

“My expectation is that the actual casino will begin towards the last quarter of the year,” Bartlett told The Gleaner from Toronto, Canada, yesterday.

The minister said the opening would usher in a new phase of Tourism 3.0, positioning Jamaica to attract another category of higher-spending visitors while creating new employment opportunities requiring specialised training.

“It certainly will bring a new layer of skill sets to the industry while enabling a higher value-added tourism product,” Bartlett said.

He added that the Government intends to work with the operator to prepare Jamaicans for careers in casino gaming.

“We will work with them in sourcing the appropriate candidates for skills training,” he said.

Bartlett also disclosed that at least three other integrated resort developments have expressed interest in securing casino licences.

EXTENSIVE APPROVAL PROCESS

“There are at least three more that we know of,” he said, confirming that the proposed Hard Rock development at Rose Hall is among the projects exploring casino gaming.

However, he stressed that obtaining a casino licence involves an extensive approval process.

“It requires a heavy level of due diligence and compliance with local and international standards,” Bartlett said.

He stressed that while casino gaming will become part of Jamaica’s tourism offering, the country is not seeking to market itself as a casino destination.

“Jamaica is not a casino destination,” he said. “It is a destination where you can have casino gaming.”

He explained that the Casino Gaming Act permits casinos only within approved IRDs, meaning they cannot operate as stand-alone gambling establishments.

INCLUSIVE OF ALL

Unlike some jurisdictions that restrict casino gaming to overseas visitors, Jamaica’s legislation allows both residents and tourists to patronise licensed casinos. However, access will be governed by the entry requirements of the integrated resort, meaning patrons must first gain access to the hotel property, whether as registered guests or through approved day passes.

“You cannot have any touristic activity to which Jamaicans are excluded,” Bartlett said, noting that the integrated resort model was designed to prevent unrestricted public access, while allowing Jamaicans to enjoy the same amenities as visitors.

Casino Gaming Commission Chief Executive Officer Cleveland Allen echoed that position, noting that Jamaica’s legislation allows both residents and tourists to patronise licensed casinos.

“There are no provisions in law that bar Jamaicans,” Allen said.

However, he stressed that because casinos are embedded within integrated resorts, Jamaicans will be required to satisfy the same entry requirements as any other patron before being granted access to the gaming floor.

Allen also noted that Princess has indicated it hopes to open by December. However, under the terms of the licence, the company has until March 31, 2027, to satisfy all regulatory requirements and begin operations.

Addressing concerns about gambling addiction, Allen revealed that the commission has signed a memorandum of understanding with RISE Life Management to strengthen responsible gaming initiatives.

The partnership, supported by the Responsible Gambling Council of Ontario, will provide training and support programmes aimed at preventing problem gambling while ensuring operators implement player-protection measures, including self-exclusion programmes and other responsible gaming safeguards, before casinos are allowed to open.

The awarding of the licence represents another milestone for the Princess development. At the official opening of Princess Grand Jamaica and Princess Senses The Mangrove on December 12, 2024, Managing Director Enrico Pezzoli announced that construction of the country’s first casino had already begun and expressed confidence that it would open during the fourth quarter of 2025.

The granting of the operator’s licence now clears the project to move into its final regulatory and operational phase.

janet.silvera@gleanerjm.com