Jamaica Passes Changes to Casino Gaming Act 2010

Jamaica is receiving updated rules for its Casino Gaming Act, enacted in 2010, with the passage of the Casino Gaming (General) Regulations, 2025. 

This new proposal sets out the basic rules for how the Casino Gaming Commission will administer its processes, including licenses, obligations, record-keeping, regulatory fees, inspection and enforcement powers, general standards, and more, to ensure that the local gambling industry operates in alignment with the existing law and best practices. 

Jamaica Forges Ahead with Planned Casino Resorts

Commenting on this change, Prime Minister Andrew Holness said, “Like every other regulated industry, there is a regulator for casinos. There is the Jamaica Casino Gaming Act, and there is the Casino Gaming Commission. Any casino that will operate in Jamaica will operate under a license. The casino operator has a clear responsibility to minimise gambling-related harm.”

The prime minister added that the Casino Gaming Commission would be expected to demonstrate its commitment to the welfare of consumers and introduce strong internal controls to ensure fairness and responsible gambling practices, including responsible advertising and self-exclusion.

According to Holness, having sufficient consumer protections is mandatory as it would allow for protecting at-risk consumers, as well as preventing underage gambling, cited as a pivot of the new proposal. 

The proposal is part of a wider push to introduce casino resorts to Jamaica and boost its tourism, with world-class properties that will attract a range of tourists, including affluent travelers tempted by the prospect of gambling in the Caribbean. 

First Casino Project Set to Arrive at the Princess Resort IRD

A casino project is already slated to arrive at the Princess Resort IRD, which will happen in accordance with the new regulations and under the control of multiple government bodies, including the Minister of Finance and the Public Service, Fayval Williams. 

Now, the process of reviewing licenses is set to begin, with clear guidelines to follow on what such a regulation would look like. 

Jamaica has been planning this project since at least mid-2025, when the country announced a $4-billion investment in a special casino zone.