Jamaica Casinos and Lotteries - Legality

Legality of casinos and lotteries (Jamaica)

1) Base frame and controls

BGLA-1965 - the basic law governing betting, games and lotteries; operating date - January 1, 1966; recent consolidations reflect amendments up to 2016. The Betting, Gaming & Lotteries Commission (BGLC) oversees.

Casino Gaming Act 2010 - a separate law for casinos as part of Integrated Resort Developments (IRD); supervision - Casino Gaming Commission (CGC).

2) Lotteries: allowed and licensed

Lottery activity is legal with a BGLC license. The Commission is the "only body" authorized to accept and consider applications for lottery licenses; the applicant can submit documents at any time, but operate only after approval.

The licensed operator Supreme Ventures (branded games Cash Pot, Top Draw, Lotto, etc.) operates on the market, which pays licensing fees to BGLC and publishes the results of circulation.

Age: gambling - only 18 +; this also applies to lottery products.

3) Casino: "allowed subject to IRD conditions"

Casinos are legal only as part of an approved IRD: first, the Minister of Finance issues an AIRD-Order (IRD approval), after which the developer submits an application for a casino license to the CGC. Without AIRD and the fulfillment of construction conditions, the casino cannot work.

IRD rules were updated: the minimum number of rooms in the resort was reduced to 1000 (of which at least 500 are high-end) in order to increase investment attractiveness; all elements of the IRD must be put into operation on time.

According to CGC, at the time of their announcement, casino resorts were not yet operating; the opening of applications for AIRD is a step towards launching the industry (it is indicated that "there is currently no casino resort," despite the law being in effect since 2010).

4) Online channels and remote sales

Online lotteries/bets are possible within the framework of permitted verticals and licenses: activities are regulated by BGLA and BGLC; operators are required to comply with advertising, reporting and AML/CFT requirements.

Online casinos as an independent vertical are not provided outside the IRD model: casino games are possible only under the CGC casino license and inside the approved IRD.

5) Who is responsible for what (quick reference)

BGLC: licenses and control of bets, lotteries, slot machines/halls, AML/CFT in the non-treasury segment, code of responsible play.

CGC: casino licensing and IRD/casino compliance under the Casino Gaming Act.

Jamaica Racing Commission (JRC): Racecourse and horse racing (separate competence; for completeness of the legal field).

6) Compliance practices and key requirements

For lotteries and bets - strict "fit-and-proper" admission, permitted premises/terminals, reporting and compliance with advertising rules; for violations - suspension/revocation of the license.

For casinos - a two-stage model (AIRD → casino license) and the implementation of infrastructure KPIs (number of rooms, commissioning dates, high-end components).

Short conclusion

Lotteries in Jamaica are legal and operate under BGLC licenses.

Casinos are legal conditionally: only within approved IRD and under the CGC license; no casinos are allowed outside this model.

Online channels are allowed under licensed verticals (BGLA/BGLC); online casinos as an independent market - only as part of the IRD for the Casino Gaming Act.