Impact of casinos on tourism and the economy (Bahamas)

Introduction: Why casinos are a tourism "booster"

Gaming halls in the Bahamas are built into the ecosystem of all-in-one resorts: beaches, restaurants, shows, shopping and MICE. Two anchors - Baha Mar (Nassau) and Atlantis (Paradise Island) - form the core of the offline market and concentrate the main flow of players among air and cruise tourists. According to the government and specialized resources of resorts: Baha Mar has 1000 + slots and 100 + tables, Atlantis has ~ 700 slots and ~ 80-85 tables; this provides capacity during peak seasons and high visibility of the product for campers.

Tourism as a demand driver

In 2024, the Bahamas received over 11 million visitors (11.22 million) - a historical maximum confirmed by the Ministry of Tourism. Growth came from both cruise passengers and air travelers, which directly fuels the loading of halls and related expenses (F&B, entertainment, retail).

The operational tables of Tourism Today allow you to track the dynamics by ports of entry and trends for a number of years (1998-2024), which is important for planning shifts and marketing campaigns for casinos.

Casino monetization channels and revenue structure

Official casino revenue summaries are published by region: Nassau/Paradise Island, Grand Bahama, Out Islands, with row history through 2025 (and separate PDFs for 2010-2024). Monthly "win/AGR" by slots and tables, as well as trends in recovery from the pandemic, are available for analytics.

Taxes and fees

Tax logic and basic payments for license holders are prescribed by the regulator (Gaming Board for The Bahamas): the structure of calendar payments, administration and compliance control. For economic evaluations, this is the base through which casino cash flow is partially transformed into government revenues.

Employment effect and multipliers

The travel and tourism sector in the Bahamas is a significant contributor to GDP and employment, which is reflected in the WTTC materials (facts on the share of GDP/employment, comparison 2019 and 2024, forecasts for 2025/2035). Casinos within this sector create direct jobs (dealers, slot technicians, pit management, security, marketing) and indirect ones - through F&B, MICE, logistics, retail.

The role of Nassau cruise port

The modernization and growth of Nassau Cruise Port attendance expands the funnel for the afternoon and evening visit to the casino of anchor resorts (dinner + game packages, promos for passengers). The port consistently talks about increasing the economic impact and services for guests - an important factor for filling the halls on "cruise days."

How exactly casinos are boosting the economy

1. Increase in average tourist check: players spend extra on restaurants, bars, shows and shopping; cross-selling is built into the resort route.

2. Extension of stay: events (tournaments, festivals, MICE) motivate you to stay longer or return seasonally.

3. Employment stabilization: large facilities provide year-round jobs and train personnel to international service standards.

4. Taxes and royalties: budget inflows and regulated infrastructure investments.

In numbers: infrastructure "capacity" of a gambling product

Baha Mar Casino: 1,140 + slots; 100 + tables; the largest hall in the Caribbean according to the operator.

Atlantis Casino: ~ 700 slots; 80-85 tables; separate premium zones and pool side gaming.

This "capacity" allows you to convert peak tourist waves (winter/spring seasons, cruising days) into revenue.

Risks and limitations

Seasonality and volatility of cruise traffic: "sawtooth" peaks in the days of arrival of liners require flexible pit management and dynamic limits.

ESG and environmental discussions around large tourism projects (some of the public materials criticize the scale of construction and the burden on ecosystems). This imposes sustainability and communication requirements with local communities.

What to do operators and the state (practice 2025)

• strengthen cruise conversions (shuttles, time slots "before departure," fast tournaments 60-90 minutes);
• develop premium zones and sports books to diversify the check;
• Use Tourism Today data to target hot dates and hours.

• maintain transparency of reporting (operational "win/AGR" by region);
• balance the tax burden with investments in infrastructure and training;
• develop sustainable tourism (standards of ecology and urban planning in the port areas).

Casinos in the Bahamas are not an isolated niche, but an amplifier of the entire tourist ecosystem. A record of 11.22 million visits in 2024, the high "capacity" of the two anchor resorts and the availability of official statistics create conditions for managed revenue and employment growth. At the same time, the sustainable development agenda and the seasonality of traffic require smart product customization and communication with communities - so that the economic effect for the country remains high and long-term.