Above: Jamaica (CJ Photo)
By the Caribbean Journal staff
Jamaica is reviewing bids for three proposed Las Vegas-style casinos, according to Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Finance and Planning Horace Dalley.
The Minister, who was speaking at the opening of Jamaica’s 2014 Gaming Industry Summit in Kingston last week, said the granting of licences was “dependent on whether the prospective licencees are fully compliant with the government of Jamaica’s requirements.”
“There is no room for error, and all efforts are painstakingly being made to ensure due diligence and suitability,” Dalley said.
The country first signed its Casino Gaming Act in the spring of 2010 following passage by both houses of Parliament.
Jamaica’s regulations will require that all players be guests staying in the integrated resort.
Part of the act provided that integrated resorts would provide a mix of tourism facilities, “including but not limited to hotels, villas, and attractions, sporting facilities, service centres and shopping centres.”
That would be similar to the proposal recently put forth by the island of Bermuda, which is also planning to permit the entry of integrated resorts on the island for the first time.
One project is already slated to begin construction on an integrated resort concept project in Jamaica’s t James parish.