Jamaica has formally approved its Casino Gaming (General) Regulations 2025. Passed on Friday in the Senate, the move marked a procedural milestone in the country’s land-based gambling market, which has been regulated since 2010, but not live.
Leading a debate on the framework Senator Kamina Johnson Smith said the measures included were designed to “safeguard the well-being of patrons and the integrity of operations”. She added that the Casino Gaming Commission (CGC) would ensure compliance with global financial crime prevention standards.
Balancing investment promotion with regulatory oversight
Following the law being passed, Jamaican Senator Dr Elon Thompson hailed regulations as representing a careful equilibrium between encouraging investment and entertainment and maintaining accountability within the sector, according to the Jamaica Observer.
In his Friday observation, he argued that these provisions would shift the regulatory posture from passive oversight to active harm minimisation.
Thompson pointed to specific safeguards embedded within the regulations. These included prohibitions on participation by intoxicated individuals, mandatory procedures for dealing with minors and requirements for detailed tracking of patron activity and dispute resolution mechanisms.
Regulatory framework for a long-delayed market
The Senate’s approval follows an earlier endorsement of casino gaming regulations by the House of Representatives in February. This dual-chamber approval signalled the long-standing Casino Gaming Act of 2010 had the practical regulatory foundation necessary to establish the sector.
The casino framework forms part of a broader, long-running effort by the Jamaican government to open up its gaming sector. The effort has also extended to online gambling, although comprehensive regulation of that market remains a work in progress.
New regulations outlined the functioning of the CGC and defined licensing requirements and reporting protocols, as well as fee structures and enforcement capabilities. The framework has also sought to enhance transparency and accountability within the market.
Jamaica’s first casino expected in 2026?
In March, CGC CEO Cleveland Allen reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to establishing the sector on solid footing. Allen said: “The CGC’s foremost responsibility is to build a foundation that ensures Jamaica’s casino industry grows with integrity, accountability and respect for the law.”
As part of those preparations, the regulator signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Jamaica’s Financial Investigations Division. The MOU sought to strengthen information sharing and bolster oversight of financial crime risks ahead of the country’s first casino launch.
With the regulatory infrastructure taking shape, attention now turns to the Spanish hotel group Princess Hotels and Resorts. The operator will become the first licensed integrated resort under the Casino Gaming Act.
Yet, the casino, to be housed within the $400 million Princess Grand Jamaica resort at Green Island in Hanover, missed two successive opening targets.
As far back as June 2024, the Ministry of Tourism’s senior adviser Delano Seiveright was projecting a mid-to-late 2025 opening. However, Enzo Pezzoli, managing director of Princess Hotels and Resorts, had revised the expectation to Q1 2026, by late 2025.
He attributed the delay to the complexity of finalising documentation with the commission and the technical setup of gaming equipment. As of today, there is no confirmed opening date announced.
Original article: https://igamingbusiness.com/legal-compliance/jamaica-senate-approves-casino-gaming-regulations/
