Legislation

Bermuda – Bermuda approves introduction of three casinos

By Phil - 15 December 2014

The Bermudan House of Assembly has approved new laws opening the island up for the introduction of three casinos.

The law states that no more than three casinos can be in operation at any one time but that the Casino Gaming Commission can choose more than three sites as being ideal for a casino.

Tourism Minister Shawn Crockwell, who presented The Casino Gaming Act 2014, said casino gaming was right for Bermuda and that the majority of Bermudians backed the legalisation of gaming in Bermuda.
“The bill represents a significant and critical adjustment to our tourism product and Bermuda as a destination,” Mr. Crockwell said. “In the past 30 years, Bermuda has moved from a tourism industry leader to an industry outsider.”

Shadow Immigration Minister Walton Brown said there should be more than just three casino licenses issued at any given time and was critical that stand-alone casinos were not being allowed.
“I appreciate the concept is to facilitate the development of hotels, we certainly need more hotels but this excludes the possibility of a stand-alone casino. In this legislation there is absolutely no opportunity whatsoever for there to be a casino to be in a venue that is not a hotel. I would encourage the Minister to contemplate some kind of amendment going forward.”

Shadow Tourism Minister Zane DeSilva questioned what would happen if all three licences were in operation but then a world-class casino operator wanted to come to Bermuda to build an integrated hotel and casino.