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Bermuda – St Regis finally lands island’s first casino licence

By - 10 October 2022

The Bermuda Gaming Commission has awarded the island’s first casino licence to the St Regis hotel in St George.

Hotelco, the company behind the St Regis hotel development, will launch a 5,500 sq. ft. gaming floor with a variety of options for guests looking to roll the dice, in addition to a salon privé with two private tables.

Bermuda’s Premier David Burt highlighted that the decision brings ‘new employment opportunities and a potential increase in hospitality jobs.’

Mr Burt said: “This is good news. The process has been a long and detailed one in which the commission and the hoteliers have worked together to ensure that all aspects of the statutory requirements are met. The hotel’s owners have demonstrated a genuine commitment to Bermuda and to the East End of the Island and we truly value their contribution to the tourism industry and the community.”

He added that the launch of the casino industry is one of the four key initiatives of the Government’s Economic Recovery Plan. “With this announcement Bermuda moves a step closer towards realising that goal. This bodes well for additional investment into Bermuda and into tourism in particular.”.

Situated in the historic Town of St. George’s, an UNESCO World Heritage site, and nestled among the soft sands and turquoise water of St. Catherine’s Beach, the resort is the first Marriott International luxury brand property to debut on the island.

“Bermuda has long served as an exclusive destination for the global luminaries, making it the ideal location to debut a glamorous new St. Regis resort. Much like the island, St. Regis is steeped in rich history, offering a storied past and exciting future,” said George Fleck, Vice President and Global Brand Leader for St. Regis Hotels & Resorts. “The St. Regis brand’s founding family, the Astors, spent time on this beautiful island more than a century ago. Now, the House of Astor’s celebrated traditions and rituals will bring this visionary spirit, avant-garde style and impeccable service back to Bermuda where our address is your muse.”

Spanning St. Catherine’s Beach in a gentle arc, the resort features 120 elegant guestrooms, including 21 suites and an ultra-luxury residential development offering two and three-bedroom residences.

In the third quarter of 2022, Bermuda saw momentum build after two years of a decimated global tourism industry. By the end of August, Bermuda welcomed over 98,000 air visitors to the island.

Vance Campbell, Minister of Tourism, said: “While we are seeing growth, year-over-year, we have not yet achieved the volumes of 2019. The Bermuda Tourism Authority projects Bermuda’s year-end visitor volume to be approximately 56 per cent of 2019.”

The Bermuda gaming Commission said: “Bermuda’s established legislative framework for the licensing and opening of a casino involves a three-stage process. Following an extensive and in-depth suitability review, the Bermuda Gaming Commission has granted Bermuda’s first casino licence to Hotelco Bermuda Holding Ltd o/a St Regis Bermuda Resort. The commission has determined that the applicant has met the legislative suitability requirements for a licence under the Gaming Act and Regulations.”

“These are predominantly operational in nature which will include, but are not limited to, the establishment of the casino’s compliance committee, the finalisation of internal controls to ensure compliance with the statutory framework, the recruitment and training of employees, and the purchase, shipping and installation of gaming equipment and systems.

“The opening date of the casino is entirely dependent on the casino operator meeting all legislative requirements for opening which will be subject to the commission’s review and approval. The commission continues to be ready to effect regulatory and supervisory responsibilities.”

The Hamilton Princess & Beach Club is also aiming to have a gaming floor added to its facilities.

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