A critical step in the process of establishing casino gaming in Jamaica was taken yesterday with the tabling of a ministry paper (Ministry Paper number 3/2009) on the proposed gambling legislation in Parliament.

This newly tabled ministry paper has introduced the basis for the gambling legislation – the new Casino Gaming Act – with provisions for a regulatory framework to be administered by a casino gaming commission as well as for a taxation regime. According to the ministry paper, there will be a tax on the gross winnings of the licensee or the amount staked or bet by customers less the amount paid out to customers as winnings. The minister will make regulations covering time, rates of interest on late payments, manner of payment and offences for breaches.

The ministry paper also points out that the diversification of the tourism profile to include luxury-integrated resorts is a priority of the Jamaican Government.

Minister of Tourism, Edmund Bartlett, said that he expects the legislation to be tabled in Parliament very soon. He said that it is a key plank in the process of product diversification for tourism that has been enunciated by himself and Prime Minister Bruce Golding.

Notably, the number of casinos will be restricted and the casino aspect will form no more than 20 per cent of the total scope and cost of each project that is approved.