A recent article in the Jamaica Observer could be said to give food for thought. A graduate researcher in international and WTO law at the University of Helsinki, Jamaican P Sean Morris, suggests that a casino industry on the island could be a sweet replacement for the declining sugar industry. He points out that a ruling by the Appellate Body of the World Trade Organization (WTO) has resulted in the European Union decision to reduce by 39% the price of sugar from African, Caribbean and Pacific countries.

Describing the 300-year sugar industry as a “remnant of slavery” Mr Morris suggests that casinos would be a viable alternative, citing the success of Macau in using the casino industry to its advantage. There are obvious parallels with successful casino operations in other Caribbean countries, such as The Bahamas. Guyana, which will also be adversely affected by the cut in the price of sugar, has recently outlined plans for the country’s first casino to be built in Georgetown. That development is bringing with it improvements to infrastructure, and similar projects in Jamaica could do much to increase foreign investment on the island.

Hoteliers in Jamaica in areas such as Montego Bay have for years been pushing to get casinos authorised but so far without success. Interest has been expressed by major US companies in investing up to US$1 billion in projects for Harmony Cove in Trelawny, northern Jamaica. Last year the Betting, Gaming and Lotteries Commission (BGLC) was instructed by the Government to compile a report on possible formats for casino gaming, but casino complexes for the island still seem a distant dream.

Horse racing, the lottery and slot machines in gaming halls are all available in the country but the Government has yet to modernize its thinking to include the integrated casino resorts that could bring increased employment for Jamaicans and extra revenues for the country. (E-07.15.05)

© Copyright 2005 CasinoCompendium



>>> return to archives
>>> return to frontpage