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Casino Gaming Commission Members Named

Jamaica Casino — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 11:17:20 +0000

Cabinet has now endorsed the appointment of five members to the Casino Gaming Commission:

1) Dennis Lalor (insurance executive and horse racing enthusiast)
2) Mark Roberts (digital printing businessman)
3) Afeef Lazarus (attorney-at-law)
4) Dennis Edmunds (Attorney-at-law)
5) Raphael Gordon (Chartered accountant and deputy chairman of Caymanas Track Ltd.).

Their tenure will extend for two years, ending in June 2012.

Jamaica’s Casino Gambling Bill Signed Into Law

Jamaica Casino — Sat, 01 May 2010 05:44:14 +0000

Following passage in both houses of parliament last month (March 2010), the bill to legislate casino gambling in Jamaica was signed into law recently by the Governor General, Sir Patrick Allen.

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

Dennis Morrison Talks About The Downside Of casinos

Jamaica Casino — Sun, 28 Mar 2010 20:23:11 +0000

In today’s Sunday Gleaner newspaper, economist Dennis Morrison joins the ongoing debate about legalizing casinos in Jamaica, and talks about the downside of casinos – the downside risks of casino gaming that one would have expected. Singapore is compared to Jamaica, as he takes a look at some of the problems associated with casinos being legalized in a country, including the issue of residents of the country becoming addicted/problem gamblers .. more details here

Member of Parliament Expresses Concern Over Possible Importation Of Casino Workers

Jamaica Casino — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 13:49:20 +0000

People’s National Party Member of Parliament, Phillip Paulwell, has expressed concerns that Jamaica may have to import labour for the casinos which will be established once casino gaming becomes legal here in Jamaica. He raised the point during yesterday’s meeting of the committee deliberating the Bill establishing the regulatory framework for casino gaming in luxury-integrated resort developments here in Jamaica, of which casino gaming would be one component.

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.

Casino Gambling Bill To Be Tabled Next Week

Jamaica Casino — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 22:05:54 +0000

The long-awaited legislation that will pave the way for casino gambling here in Jamaica, is to be tabled in Parliament next week Tuesday (October 27), with debate on the bill to begin shortly after.

The legislation had previously been tabled in the House of Representatives in July 2008, but was withdrawn and amended after consultations involving the Office of the Prime Minister, potential investors and other stakeholders.

The Government had announced plans to introduce casino gambling well over a year ago, but this has been on hold pending the passing of the relevant gambling legislation.

Two international investors have already been given the go ahead to establish casinos locally.

University Intellect Has No Reservations About Casino Gambling In Jamaica

Jamaica Casino — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 15:02:27 +0000

Speaking yesterday at the Montego Bay Chamber of Commerce and Industry quarterly luncheon at the Wexford hotel in Montego Bay, St. James, University of the West Indies Deputy Principal Joseph Pereira said that the introduction of casino gambling can do no more harm to Jamaica than has already been caused.

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.“

Gleaner Editorial Suggests Moving Ahead With Casino Law

Jamaica Casino — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 19:56:40 +0000

Today’s editorial in the Jamaica Gleaner newspaper, cuts to the chase saying that Jamaica needs to move ahead quickly with the casino law, so that the country can reap the benefits – such as the generation of thousands of jobs and hundreds of millions of dollars in economic activity.

The editorial begins – “It is unfortunate that having dithered for so long on the issue, Jamaica is unlikely, in the near term, to reap as much benefit from allowing casinos, as might otherwise have been the case.

But that does not mean that the administration should not proceed, as Prime Minister Bruce Golding has promised to pass the casino law when the Parliament returns from its recess this month, although the Government needs to explain the rationale for establishing a new entity to oversee casinos rather than using the existing Betting, Gaming and Lotteries Commission” … more

Country Casino Investments – Jamaica vs. Guyana

Jamaica Casino — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 19:30:40 +0000

The following letter to the Editor was featured in today’s Jamaica Observer newspaper:

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.

Recently, I read in the newspaper that Guyana was getting its first casino and the investment required was only US$2 million to upgrade an existing hotel. I am sure that Guyana does not have the size and quality hotels that we have in Jamaica, and they seem to be making the right move.

Maybe the Government of Jamaica could learn from this move by Guyana and start small and expand as conditions dictate.

Barrington Green

Gambling Dens History

Jamaica Casino — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 22:07:56 +0000

Fifty-eight years ago today, on August 13, 1951, the Kingston police ‘Two-Two’ squad raided several gambling dens, clubs and brothels. At 63 Luke Lane, eight persons are arrested; seven face the charge of common gambling in a house and another for having peakapeow tickets.

Betting, Gaming and Lotteries Act Being Amended

Jamaica Casino — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 04:38:12 +0000

Jamaica’s Betting, Gaming and Lotteries Act is being amended in order to enable the Betting, Gaming and Lotteries Commission to regulate the gaming sector more effectively, as well as to better protect stakeholders and consumers.

Minister of Finance and the Public Service, Audley Shaw, recently tabled a Bill to amend the Act in the House of Representatives. The Act is also being amended consequent on the passage of a Casino Gaming Act, which has also been tabled in the House.

The Bill’s Memorandum of Objects and Reasons states that the amendments are based on recommendations from the Betting, Gaming and Lotteries Commission, to strengthen the regulatory framework, as well as the rules governing the operations of licensees – in order to ensure against criminal influences.