Some of the next steps to be taken with regarding to casino gambling in Jamaica:

• Finance Minister’s appointment date notice in the Gazette
• Establishment of the Casino Gaming Commission
• Drafting and implementation of appropriate regulations that address the details governing the roll-out of casino gambling in Jamaica

The Bill also seeks to establish a body to be known as the Casino Gaming Commission, which will have regulatory functions over how casino gaming is conducted. The commission will, among other things, be empowered to ensure that casino gaming is conducted fairly, legally and in a manner which protects children and other vulnerable persons.

Yesterday, Paulwell queried whether any of the three groups that have so far indicated an interest in establishing the facilities had disclosed the number of staff required, and said that the issue of employment in these entities needs to be addressed.

He added: “I would hate for us to be issuing work permits to fill these positions. The point is quite critical because we are seeking the establishment of casinos as an important element of our job creation activities and it could very well be that we, on day one, aren’t able to fulfil the requirements.”

Paulwell said he was concerned, based on the range of the due diligence and the number of individuals who would be needed, how those persons for employment in casinos would be attracted outside of importing them.

In response to Member of Parliament Paulwell, Derrick Peart, the executive director of the Betting Gaming and Lotteries Commission (BGLC), said it was imperative that Jamaica begins preparing.

According to Pereira, “I don’t think that we Jamaicans could have any more corruption of our morals, we’re already corrupted. I have no reservations whatsoever in proposing that we promote casino gambling as quickly as possible. It seems to me that, when you look at other places that have done this, it has been a boost for the economy, without corrupting the morals of the society.“

Dear Editor,

On June 30, 2009 I wrote to you advising that the Government of Jamaica, insisting that an investment of US$1.5 billion including a minimum of 2,000 rooms was required to obtain a casino licence, was asking for too much and that Jamaica had lost several new hotel investments as a result of this policy.

Barrington Green

Will Celebration Jamaica be pulling out of its Jamaica casino plans? Right now it’s a wait and see situation.

“There is no doubt in our minds that as the Government contemplates plugging the deep hole in the budget, the introduction of casino gaming will become an increasingly attractive option. We, for our part, don’t pretend to be great supporters of casino or any other form of gambling. However, we are convinced of its potential to substantially increase earnings to our economy which is going to need every help it can get to ride out this recession. Casino gaming has worked well for several other economies, and with the right social infrastructure in place, there’s no reason why it shouldn’t here.”

Click here to see the complete editorial.

The heated difference of opinion played out yesterday at the UWI’s one-day policy conference in Montego Bay to examine the impact of gaming on the society. There, Diaram Ramjee Singh, lecturer in Managerial Economics at the UWI, blasted the Government’s decision which was articulated by minister of tourism Ed Bartlett earlier during the first session.

“Public policy is not dictated by what is best for the country, but for those who have influence,” said Singh. “Why create more problems? All the research papers have pointed in one direction, that casinos should be an export activity. That implies it should not be open to locals. The underlying assumption of our paper is that it will not be open to locals.” MORE

Palmyra’s development is set to become the island’s first casino hotel, and will reportedly form the cornerstone of a multi-layered development that will celebrate Jamaica through an array of premier attractions, including the casinos.

In addition to this, Harrah’s and MGM, two of the world’s largest casino operators, are reportedly showing keen interest in partnering with the US$1.8-billion (J$143 billion) ‘Celebration Jamaica’ resort development. However, with all these positives, there are still no official licenses issued as yet, and while there has been approval of the policy outline of the license, technocrats are reportedly working to complete legislation for parliamentary approval.

Here is the detailed Gleaner editorial