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Casinos in Jamaica

Casinos offer a glimpse of island gaming for Jamaica's visitors

Photo credit: © Edward Bartel | Dreamstime.com
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Jamaica's visitors can find activities to suit any interest.  For those who have dreams of the glitz, glamor and neon of Las Vegas, as well as the beautiful islands of the tropics, Jamaica's casinos can offer the best of both worlds. Even for the casual visitor, gambling in the island's casinos can add spice to any vacation.

Until recently gambling has been outlawed in Jamaica, with limited exceptions at a few resorts, which received special permission from the government to operate casinos on their property. 

Existing Options

Currently, gaming options exist within popular tourist areas of the island. Last time we checked, casino style gaming was available at these locations:

  • Acropolis Gaming and Entertainment Centre (Kingston)

  • Coral Cliff Hotel (Montego Bay)

  • Hedonism II Resort (Negril)

  • Hedonism III Resort (Ocho Rios)

  • Holiday Inn Sunspree Resort (Montego Bay)

  • The Jamaica Pegasus and Derby Rooms (Kingston)

  • Jungle Negril (Negril)

  • Renaissance Jamaica Grande Resort (Ocho Rios)

  • Terra Nova Hotel, Monte Carlo Gaming (Kingston)

  • Treasure Hunt Ocho Rios (Ocho Rios)

  • Villagio Gaming Lounge (Kingston)

Slots make up the majority of floor games, but video poker, blackjack, Caribbean Stud Poker, craps, and roulette are also sometimes available. Due to its origin in Aruba, Caribbean Stud Poker is widespread.  It is played by many of the same rules as regular poker but has one big difference: the players, instead of playing against each other, play against the dealer only. Another small difference is that all of the players can see one of the dealer's cards, which he deals face up. With this information, players are free to make bets. This type of poker is extremely popular both in Jamaica and on cruise ships.

Coming Attractions

A bill to expand and regulate casino gaming in Jamaica passed both Houses of Parliament in March 2010.  The Minister of Tourism, Edmund Bartlett, subsequently announced that the government anticipates awarding the first casino licence under this new legislative framework during 2011, with construction of the island’s first new casino expected to commence by the end of the year.

The Commission, which was established to regulate the operations of casinos, is preparing to examine applications for licences, and expects to grant at least three licences over the next three years for full scale casino operations.  These new casinos are expected to be located in Montego Bay, in Trelawny, and in the western part of the island -- most likely in the Negril area.

 

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