Jamaica has greenlit its first licensed casino, but local leaders look for assurances that regulation, welfare safeguards, and oversight will come before profit.
The Jamaican government has given the greenlight for the country’s first licensed casino to be built. However, they have made it crystal clear that they do not intend to transform the region into a casino gaming destination, rather they have created clear delineations of how casinos will be allowed and are setting up checkpoints and safeguards across several departments to ensure no abuse can take place.
While recognising the financial value that gambling holds, the Jamaican government has made it abundantly clear that it will not trade the well-being of its people for profit.
Andrew Holness, Prime Minister of Jamaica, said:
“The Casino Gaming Commission expects the casino operator to be able to demonstrate its commitment to the welfare of its patrons as stated in its internal controls, which should contemplate, at minimum, the following: responsible advertising of the casino and of casino gaming in accordance with the minimum internal controls and consistent with the [stipulated] guidelines.”
It will also not become a free-for-all with any interested party vying for a free-standing gambling license. Offering games of chance like slots and virtual sports in the country will be tied to a land-based resort to ensure that there is a financial incentive not to step out of line.
Holness clarified their vision for a holistic approach to resort entertainment:
“These are not going to be stand-alone casinos where the only activity is gambling - What we’re doing is using the concept of the integrated resort where, within that integrated resort, you can have different products that attract people. So if casino is not your fun today, you go on the beach.”
The plan is to have resorts offer multiple forms of entertainment and relaxation, ranging from time on the beach to gambling to Broadway-level shows and extravaganzas. This will allow guests to choose what to do, rather than feel forced to visit the casino floor.
In his speech, Holness addressed concerns over tax breaks and the potential for under-the-table dealmaking, stating:
“The Government is not [going to] to give any special tax break or any special fiscal incentive to any large investor. That is absolutely not the case. Those days are gone.”
To ensure that the newly regulated gambling sector does not fall foul of corruption, the Major Organised Crime and Anti-Corruption Agency (MOCA) will be working closely with the Casino Gaming Commission (CGC).
By instituting a formalised channel for information exchange, training initiatives, and joint enforcement initiative the country’s law enforcement departments will be equipped and ready to act at a moment's notice.
Despite all the talks about dealing with corruption and enforcing policy compliance, the Watchman Church Leaders Alliance has raised some practical concerns, urging the CGC and broader government leaders to focus on the needs of the populace.
The Alliance shared its concerns, asking:
“As the parliamentary debate is unfolding, several practical and social questions arise. What protective measures will be in place to address problem- gambling? How prepared are our public health systems, counseling services, and regulatory bodies to respond if addiction rates increase, as they most surely will ? What safeguards will ensure that vulnerable communities are not disproportionately affected?”
The question is not if the casinos can generate income and opportunities for employment, but whether the country is prepared to manage the community challengesthat come with live casino gambling.
The question they raise is a good one, as the CGC has not released any details on its healthcare plans for affected citizens at this time.
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