Casino in hotels (Jamaica)

Casino in hotels for tourists (Jamaica)

1) Rule for "real" casinos: only as part of IRD resort

In Jamaica, casinos are allowed only as part of the Approved Integrated Resort Development for Casino Gaming Act 2010. First, the project receives IRD status, after which its developer submits to casino gaming license in Casino Gaming Commission (CGC). This is a model of "casino inside a large resort" focused on tourism (thousand + rooms, premium infrastructure, etc.).

2) Who will launch the first hotel casinos

Princess Grand Jamaica (Green Island, Hanover) - according to the adviser to the Ministry of Tourism, the opening of the casino is expected in mid-late 2025. It will be the country's first full-length facility; the resort itself is already welcoming guests.

Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Montego Bay (Rose Hall corridor) - the second major IRD project with a "full-scale casino" and ~ 1000 rooms; profile publications indicate an active implementation phase and launch after Princess. The Rose Hall corridor is formed as a "casino zone."

💡 As of October 10, 2025, full-length casino floors are not yet working; the first should open in conjunction with the above resorts.

3) Where you can play a tourist "today"

While IRD casinos are preparing for launch, the legal format is gaming lounges/slot halls under the control of the Betting, Gaming & Lotteries Commission (BGLC). These sites are often in tourist areas near hotels and shopping clusters:

Acropolis Gaming Lounge (Kingston) - Supreme Ventures ecosystem brand; one of the most famous halls in the capital.
Treasure Hunt Gaming (Montego Bay, Whitter Village) is a popular hall with roulette, slots, blackjack and services for guests of nearby resorts.

The list of licensed halls is published annually by the BGLC; it's a reference point where it's legal and safe to play.

4) What it looks like for a tourist in a hotel

Today: Most hotels do not have their own casino floors (before the launch of the IRD). Guests typically visit nearby licensed gaming halls in the city/area, often 5-15 minutes away.

Soon: in IRD resorts (Princess, then Hard Rock) casino-squares will become part of the hotel infrastructure - the game will be available directly "from the lobby," without traveling outside the resort.

5) Rules and safety: What's important to know

Legality and age: play only at licensed venues; the minimum age is 18 + (BGLC). Register of licenses - on the regulator's website.

Distinguish "casino" and "gaming lounge": before launching IRD objects, these are different categories by law (casinos - only according to the Casino Gaming Act as part of the IRD; halls/slots - by BGLA-1965 under the supervision of BGLC).

Taxes and payments: Licensed venues operate under Jamaican rules; winnings and settlements are regulated (including local law deductions). For a tourist, this means predictability of procedures.

6) Mini Location Guide (for trip planning)

Montego Bay/Rose Hall Corridor: the future zone of the first IRD casinos; it is already convenient to get to Treasure Hunt Gaming (Whitter Village) from most coastal hotels.

Negril - Hanover (Green Island): Princess Grand Jamaica resort; after entering the casino floor, the first "all-in-one" vacation with a game on the hotel will appear here.

Kingston: Urban Recreation + Acropolis Gaming Lounge and other licensed halls on BGLC listings.

Prior to the launch of the first IRD casinos, tourists play in licensed gaming lounges near hotels. In 2025-2026, the "casino in the hotel" tourist product will become a reality: first Princess Grand Jamaica, then Hard Rock Montego Bay in the Rose Hall corridor. If planning a trip before the IRD opens, look for a list of licensed BGLC lounges near your hotel; after launching IRD objects - choose resorts with casinos right on the territory.

Note on status as of the material date (October 10, 2025): IRD casinos have not yet been put into operation; timelines are drawn from CGC/Minturism reports and industry news.