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Casino for tourists - Barbados
Casino opening opportunities for tourists (Barbados)
1) Base: what is allowed now
There are no land-based casino resorts in Barbados. The legal fabric historically suppresses "gambling houses" and licenses only limited offline formats (slot machines/halls, off/on-courts betting on horse races, lotteries). This follows from the bundle of acts Gambling, Cap. 134 (suppression of common gaming houses) and Betting & Gaming, Cap. 134A (licensing of halls/machines, pool/off-course betting).
Fiscal superstructure - Betting & Gaming Duties Act, Cap. 60: Fees and duties on rates/licenses. For "pool-betting" with an external promoter, special rules for collecting duties are provided.
A key exception in favor of tourism: according to Cruise Ships (Opening of Facilities) Act, 2012 casinos on board can operate even while parked at the port of Bridgetown (by permit), and not just "in neutral waters." The law was also simplified through an amendment bill (reducing the time for consideration, etc.). This creates actual access to the casino for the tourist - but on board, not on shore.
2) Why ground format is limited
Absence of "casino-act." The current laws simply do not have a regime for a classic casino resort (IR). Their logic is adjustable halls with machine guns, a lottery and a horse racing sweepstakes, and not tables/squares of the "megaresort" level.
Demand substitution by cruises. Thanks to the 2012 act, the tourist's "game revenue" is often mastered on board; at the same time, the coast receives only indirect expenses (excursions, F&B, shopping). This reduces the economic argument under IR on land.
Market scale. The tourist base is growing, but remains chamber: the accommodation infrastructure in 2023 - 156 objects/6,954 rooms, which is an order of magnitude less than the "casino destinations" of the region (irrelevant for mega-complexes).
3) What can be done without changing the laws
1. Strengthen the "maritime" model: expand programs for cruise days (shore-x, F&B, events before/after casinos on board). The law already allows ship casinos to operate in the port with permission - the task is to cross-promo and logistics of inflow into the city.
2. Develop "small formats" on the shore: licensed game halls at hotels/shopping centers (Cap. 134A), event sweepstakes on Garrison Savannah and simulcast/mobile as part of the Barbados Turf Club (BTCBets). It is legal and already working.
4) What will require a new law
If the goal is a land-based tourist casino, a separate casino act (or a major Cap reform) will be required. 134/134A) defining:- license types (IR/standalone), capital and location requirements;
- tax model (better based on GGR, not turnover);
- RG/AML standards, advertising, complaints mechanism and audit;
- linking with tourism (quotas for number of rooms, congress center, public obligations).
Without such an act, it is legally impossible to create a "full-fledged ground product."
5) Possible Travel Models (2025-2030)
A) Status quo + (most realistic)
Focus on the cruise model (casino on board, including in the port) + strengthening ground entertainment: hippodrome, licensed halls, lotto, gastro-events.
KPI: growth in non-game revenue during parking days, increased tourist returns.
B) Hotel pilot room (no tables)
Expanding the "approved premises" network with high-quality UX and strict RG - this fits into Cap. 134A.
KPI: capex is low, risk control is high.
C) IR pilot through a separate act (low probability without a powerful investment case)
One or two IR licenses with strict license plate requirements and MICE, GGR tax, "local content" and RG/sports fund.
KPI: tourism multiplier, but a long cycle and political and regulatory work. (A new law will be needed.)
6) Economic benchmarks and risks
Tourism as a base. According to the state board, the number of rooms in 2023 - ~ 7 thousand places; this supports a chamber-based rather than "megaresort" strategy.
Regulatory risks. Any "gray" attempts to launch a casino without a separate act will rest on Cap. 134 and Cap. 134A (checks, liability, withdrawal of equipment).
Social license. Tough RG obligations, transparency on taxes/funds and linking with public beneficiaries will be required - otherwise reputational risks will outweigh the benefits. (Fiscal framework - Cap. 60.)
7) Hands-on guide for stakeholders
For the state
Support the "marine" model (implementation of the 2012 act) and strengthen terrestrial non-casino entertainment;
If you discuss IR, prepare a separate casino act with GGR taxation, RG/AML and a complaint mechanism.
For investors/hotels
Consider licensed gaming halls (Cap. 134A) as a "quick start" and partnerships with BTC (sweepstakes/simulcast, UX integration at the hotel).
For cruise lines
Use the 2012 act window: co-marketing with the port/city and extending the "engagement hours" of guests ashore.
For tourists
Shore: Garrison Savannah racetrack, lotto, small playrooms;
Sea: casino on board (including parking in the port - by permission).
8) Responsible Gaming and Control
Any model should include: age 18 +, timeouts, limits, KYC/AML, staff training and visible channels of assistance. Fiscal and supervisory framework - through Cap. 60 + RG standards under license.
As of October 11, 2025, Barbados does not have a regime for land-based tourist casinos; "game access" of the tourist is provided on board cruises (including the operation of the casino during parking by permission) and local "small formats" on land. To open a land casino for tourists, you need a new law with an understandable tax and RG architecture. Until then, the working strategy is to strengthen the cruise model, racetrack/sweepstakes and licensed halls as part of Barbados' chamber tourism product.