Comparison with other island states - Saint Lucia

Short: St Lucia's place on Caribbean map

St. Lucia: there is a legal framework for offline (Gaming, Racing and Betting Act), but online casinos do not have a separate local license; the issuance of an offline license is traditionally tied to large hotels (threshold 250 numbers).

Dominican Republic: offline casino plus full online regulation from 2024 (Resolution 136-2024).

Bahamas: developed casino-resorts (Atlantis, Baha Mar) when restricting access for citizens/residents - casinos are aimed at tourists.

Curacao: massive online reform (LOK, creating licensing portal; avoiding sub-licenses).

Aruba: 12 + casinos, age 18 +, clear tourist rules for visiting.

Barbados: Metropolitan casinos are illegal, with only slot machines allowed in separate formats.

Antigua and Barbuda: One of the pioneers of offshore online gaming (licensing through FSRC) regulation.

Regulatory models: from "eco-luxe and careful" to "full stack"

Saint Lucia

The island relies on the offline framework of the GRB Act: age restrictions, internal controls, licensing. Historically, the issuance of a license focused on large hotels (≥250 rooms) - this restrains the expansion of "heavy" casinos and keeps the brand "eco-luxury." Online iGaming is not allocated to a separate mode.

Dominican Republic

Combines a wide network of resort casinos with online regulation (136-2024): requirements for license, hosting and responsible play are introduced. For a tourist - a rich offline scene; for business - online predictability.

Bahamas

A modern frame with an emphasis on casinos for foreigners (tourists 18 +) and separate regulation of the "home" segment. The model strengthens the tourist product and restrains social risks among residents.

Curacao

Transition to the New License System (LOK): Online operators and vendors submit applications through a government portal; the era of sub-licenses is coming to an end. This increases the standards of supervision and transparency of operators.

Aruba

Classic "casino-island" with 12 + sites; age 18 +, ID control at the entrance. For tourists - understandable evening activity; for the economy - direct support for F&B and entertainment.

Barbados

Table casinos are prohibited, keeping the island out of competition for "casino-resort" flow; machine permits retain a minimum of evening options.

Antigua and Barbuda

Early and Active Online Regulator (FSRC): Historically, the country has promoted offshore licensing; the case has become a landmark in international discussions about the online market.

How this affects the tourist and business

(Key statuses confirmed by profile sources/guideline as of October 2025)

What it means specifically for St Lucia

Strengths of the current model

Preservation of the image "nature + privacy + premium."

Social risks are lower than those of "mass" casino clusters.

Lotteries and evening entertainment support a "soft" economy without changing the DNA of the destination.

Weaknesses

Weak offline scene = missed evening check vs Aruba/Bahamas.

Online without a local license = tax base withdrawal, below is player protection vs Dominican/Curacao (after reforms).

Possible steps without brand loss

1. Casino-light (small slot lounges for gastro-clusters) - a point extension of the "second evening" of the tourist.

2. "Light" online circuit (white-list/hybrid) - return part of taxes and introduce RG/AML standards without stimulating mass character.

3. The threshold of "250 numbers" is re-evaluated for boutique formats while maintaining control and responsibility requirements.

Comparative conclusions

If you need a full "casino-resort" experience, tourists are more likely to choose the Bahamas or Aruba.

For an offline + online hybrid and predictability for operators, the Dominican Republic and reformed Curacao look "yesterday-in-practice, tomorrow-in-standard."

Barbados shows a conservative path: without tables - without a "casino magnet," but also without associated risks.

Saint Lucia remains an "eco-suite" alternative with minimal gaming load: better for romantic and wellness recreation, weaker for the "playful" motive of the trip. Development options lie in the zone of small formats and online ordering.

Saint Lucia is not a "casino island," but a cautious jurisdiction with a priority of nature tourism and privacy. Against the backdrop of the Dominican Republic and Curaçao (where online is already formalized) and the Bahamas/Aruba (where the casino is part of the core of the resort), St. Lucia has its own path: point offline formats and moderate online design. This will increase the evening check and market transparency without changing the main asset of the island - its recognizable "eco-luxury" brand.