Radio Jamaica reports that the Government is trying to wrap up deliberations on casino gambling legislation within a fourteen day deadline to complete the Parliamentary review. In April 2008 Prime Minister Bruce Golding said that the Government had taken the decision to permit the licensing of casinos in Jamaica. At the time he explained that the issue of licences would be dependent upon a minimum investment of US$1.5 billion and the construction of not less than 1,000 hotel rooms. It was also decided that the casino component should be no more than 20% of the total project; that operators of the casino would be subject to the approval of the Government after appropriate due diligence including fit and proper tests and evaluation of track record; and that an appropriate regulatory framework with the necessary legislation and enforcement mechanism was in place.

In August 2008 it was announced that a special commission was being established to regulate casino operations. The Casino Gaming Bill was withdrawn in October 2009 in order to make some technical and legal amendments. It was originally expected that the bill would be debated and passed into law by July 2009 but it is now hoped casino licensing can move on to the next stage. Yesterday the Special Select Committee charged with reviewing the bill approved the proposed legislation, which will be submitted to Parliament for debate on 16 February.

Some Members of Parliament, from both sides, have expressed concern over the issue of just three casino licences, as outlined in the draft bill. The Attorney General’s Department has indicated that such exclusivity agreements entered into in 2006 are not legally binding as there was no corresponding gaming legislation at that time. The former administration signed a joint venture agreement with overseas investor Tavistock Group to develop 2,350 acres of Trelawny oceanfront property as a casino resort. It is likely that the three licence restriction will be reconsidered in Parliament next week on the grounds of being anti-competitive. (E-02.10.10)

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