Jamaica legalises casinos

Jamaica has legalised casinos after a nearly year-long debate which drew fierce opposition from religious groups.

Information Minister Daryl Vaz said the Bill would allow the government to create the Casino Gaming Commission, which will grant licences.

He said today that the island’s deputy governor general signed the Bill this week because Governor General Patrick Allen was on holiday.

Allen was the former leader of a Seventh Day Adventist Church and opposed the Bill.

J

amaica currently has a few hundred slot machines at hotels in Kingston and tourist areas.

Prime Minister Bruce Golding has said companies seeking a gambling licence need to invest a minimum of $1.5bn (€1.17bn) and build a hotel with at least 2,000 rooms.