Operator News
Jamaica – Jamaica launches new request for casino applications
By Phil - 11 October 2021
Jamaica’s Ministry of Finance and Public Service (MOFPS) has launched a new request for applications (RFA) for the award of integrated resort development (IRD) orders.
This is seen as the first stage of landing a licence from the Casino Gaming Commission.
The Casino Commission already has two large developments being pushed through. Celebration Jamaica is a casino project planned for between The Ritz-Carlton Golf & Spa Resort and the Rose Hall Resort & Country Club in Rose Hall, Montego Bay. The casino portion covers some 100,000 square feet and includes slot machines, table games and a sports book. The $1bn Harmony Cove is being built on over 2,000 acres in Trelawny, between Ocho Rios and Montego Bay.
Minister of Finance Nigel Clarke, who made the announcement, said: “This will enable the developer to then make an application to the Casino Gaming Commission for a licence to be issued under the Act to operate a casino within that resort development. As at now, there is no operating casino resort in Jamaica despite the fact that we have had this legislation since 2010. It is our intention, with the launch of this process, for Jamaica to eventually have a casino gaming resort, and it is also our intention to attract hundreds of millions if not billions of dollars of investment to Jamaica via this means.”
“In addition, another important change included is that all elements of the approved integrated resort development are to be constructed and operational within three years of the commencement of operation of any casino activity on the development, and that failure to comply will result in a penalty,” he added.
Changes made to the requirements to operate an integrated resort development include a reduction in the number of rooms which now rests at 1,000 hotel rooms, down from the prior requirement for 2,000 rooms.
In 2017 the gaming sector generated J$111.25bn, marking a 21 per cent increase in revenue from the year previous. The lottery sector accounted for J$36.8bn whilst sports betting generated J$10.04bn, up ten per cent on last year.
