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The history of casinos in the Bahamas
The Bahamas is one of the most recognizable casino tourism hubs in the Caribbean. Today, brands like Atlantis (Paradise Island) and Baha Mar (Cable Beach, Nassau) symbolize premium recreation with gaming halls, but the path to this status took almost a century. The evolution of the Bahamian gambling sector went through Prohibition in the United States, a wave of resort construction in the 1960s, an impulse of independence in 1973, a period of consolidation in the 1990s, and a new era of mega-resorts and digitalization after the 2010s.
1) Pre-colonial and colonial premises (pre-1930s)
Socioeconomic background. The islands developed a transit economy: navigation, trade, and later tourism.
Entertainment for wealthy travelers. In the first third of the 20th century, villas and private clubs offered closed leisure formats with elements of the game "for their own." The formal casino market did not yet exist, but American guests formed the demand.
2) "Era of Roma" and bans in the USA (1930s - 1950s)
Effect of Prohibition and U.S. gambling restrictions. The islands became a convenient "harbor": yachts and liners brought tourists for music, cocktails and "gambling evenings" in semi-legal clubs.
Changing attitudes towards tourism. It became obvious to the Bahamian authorities that paying guests were willing to spend significant sums on entertainment if they were provided with civilized infrastructure.
3) Legalization and resort dash (1960s - early 1970s)
First licensed casinos. In the 1960s, the government relied on resort tourism and allowed casinos as part of the hotel ecosystem. The first major gaming halls at Nassau hotels and on Paradise Island are emerging.
Cable Beach infrastructure. Nassau's Cable Beach zone is shaping up as a "showcase" for Bahamian tourism - hotels, beaches and casinos within walking distance of each other.
Regulatory framework. The state introduces a permissive procedure and control regime aimed at foreign guests; Bahamian residents, as a rule, are not allowed to play in the casino (the norm that has become one of the business cards of the Bahamian model).
4) Independence (1973) and the "right to tourism": 1970s - 1980s
New political and economic course. After independence, the country consolidates tourism as a strategic industry. Casinos are seen as an "anchor" for air traffic and employment.
Expansion of geography. In addition to Nassau, Freeport (Grand Bahama Island) is developing, where casinos are integrated into hotel and entertainment complexes focused on short visits by Americans.
5) Consolidation and the beginning of the "era of megacourts" (1990s - 2000s)
Image and governance. The focus is on enlarging sites, raising standards, attracting international hotel and MICE segment operators.
Paradise Island and the Atlantis brand. The launch and subsequent expansion of Atlantis turns the island into a postcard of Bahamian tourism: water parks, family attractions, a large casino peninsula.
Grand Bahama: Undulation. Grand Bahama casinos periodically undergo restructuring and restarts due to economic cycles and hurricanes - the "weather risk" factor is becoming a constant in the market.
6) Transit from old venues to new giants (2010s)
Closures and restarts. A number of legacy casinos in the Cable Beach area are winding down; the Baha Mar investment project is replacing it - a modern cluster of hotels (Grand Hyatt, SLS, Rosewood), a golf course, a congress center and one of the largest casinos in the region.
Regulatory update. Modernize KYC/AML compliance controls, strengthen corporate transparency requirements for operators, and focus on responsible play.
Local realities. The traditional "casino for guests" model for the Bahamas is generally preserved, and the national "web shops" (bets on numbers/lotteries) are developing in a separate legal direction - another segment of the gambling ecosystem, not identical to casino tourism.
7) 2020s: sustainability, branding and digital trends
After the pandemic. The tourist flow is gradually recovering, and mega-resorts - Atlantis and Baha Mar - remain "magnets" that support the employment and revenue of the service industries.
Product diversification. Casinos integrate VIP salons, poker tournaments, e-sports events, "gaming weekends" for high rollers, and increase non-gaming revenues (chef restaurants, retail, spa).
Digitalization and compliance. Deepens analytics (player tracking), personalization of bonuses, strict AML/KYC procedures and safe play that meet international standards of resort casinos.
Landmark venues and their role
Atlantis Casino (Paradise Island). Icon of family and premium holidays; a huge hall with hundreds of machines and tables, integrated into water parks, aquariums and MICE spaces.
Baha Mar Casino (Cable Beach, Nassau). One of the largest halls in the Caribbean, designed for mass and high-end segments with an emphasis on design, art collections and gastronomy.
Grand Bahama (Freeport). Historically, it is a platform with a wave-like fate: from active casino complexes to pauses and attempts to restart following the situation and infrastructure projects.
Regulatory model - key features
1. Principle of "tourist casino." Traditional ban/restriction on local participation in the game in resort casinos.
2. Licensing and control. Strict verification of owners/management, compliance of financing with the requirements of the origin of funds.
3. Responsible play. Mandatory procedures for self-exclusion, limits and informing guests.
4. Compliance with international standards. KYC/AML as the basis for interaction with global payment systems and tour operators.
Economic and social impact
Tourism as an anchor of GDP. Casinos enhance hotel loading, air travel and related services (F&B, MICE, entertainment).
Jobs and training. Dealers, pit bosses, IT/slots, security, hospitality - expanding competencies and career paths for local professionals.
Urban environment. Revitalization of embankments, creation of public spaces, development of the cultural agenda (concerts, exhibitions).
Risks and balance. Dependence on tourist traffic and hurricanes requires insurance and infrastructure investments, as well as diversification of the economy.
Timeline (brief)
1930s - 1950s: semi-official clubs for tourists, the impact of bans in the United States.
1960s: casino formalization as part of resorts; the birth of the "showcase" on Paradise Island and Cable Beach.
1973: independence; securing tourism as a strategic industry.
1990s - 2000s: enlargement, launch and heyday of the Atlantis brand.
2010s: old venues closed, Baha Mar launched; updating rules and compliance.
2020s: post-pandemic recovery, brand product strengthening, digitalization and ESG approaches.
Why the Bahamian model is sustainable
1. Focus on the premium resort. Casinos are part of a large "destination product," not an isolated service.
2. Regulatory predictability. Clear rules for investors and international partners.
3. Branding and marketing. Worldwide recognition of Atlantis and Baha Mar, regular events and collaborations.
4. Sensitivity to risks. Taking into account climatic and macroeconomic factors in project design and insurance.
The history of casinos in the Bahamas is a consistent transformation from "club exoticism" to a mature resort megaproject industry. The combination of a strong brand of direction, well-thought-out regulation and a high level of service allowed the Bahamas to take a steady place in the Caribbean "major league" of casino tourism. In the coming years, it is the deep integration of games into the ecosystems of recreation, events and gastronomy, as well as responsible digitalization, that will determine the further vector of development of the archipelago.