Comparison with Dominican Republic and Bahamas - St. Lucia

Summary in three lines

St Lucia: the legal framework is there, but the offline offer is small and the online market is not settled; mentions of the only major casino (Treasure Bay) are contradictory - a number of sources claim to close from 2020, while tourist guides can still list it.

Dominican Republic (DR): one of the most structured markets in the Caribbean: many resort casinos + since March 2024 there has been a regime for online casinos and online betting (Resolution 136-2024) under the auspices of DCJA (Ministry of Finance).

Bahamas: large resort complexes (Atlantis, Baha Mar), modern law base (Gaming Act 2014). Casinos are focused on tourists: for foreigners access is open, and for citizens/residents - restrictions remain (while "gaming houses" for locals are regulated separately).

How legal models differ

Saint Lucia

The basic regulation of gambling is contained in the Gaming, Racing and Betting Act (the updated edition is published in the 2023 code of laws). Online casinos as a separate, licensed segment are not settled; players often go to offshore sites.

Dominican Republic

Historically, offline casinos are regulated at the state level; regulator - Dirección de Casinos y Juegos de Azar (DCJA) under the Ministry of Finance. In March 2024, Resolution 136-2024 was adopted, which formally launches the regulation of online casinos and online betting (licenses, hosting, liability, etc.).

Bahamas

Modern frame - Gaming Act 2014. The state clearly separates casinos for tourists and the domestic gaming sector (including gaming houses) for residents; access of Bahamas citizens to casino floors is limited, and tourists (18 +) are allowed.

Resort infrastructure and "casino as convenience"

Saint Lucia. There are few large "casino-resorts" or not; For a long time the island was associated with Treasure Bay (Rodney Bay), but some sources record closure since 2020; other guidebooks continue to list the object - before the visit, you need to double-check the fact-status on the spot.

Dominican Republic. Hundreds of hotels in tourist clusters (Punta Cana, Puerto Plata, Santo Domingo) build playrooms on or near the territory - this is part of the package product. The new online mode complements the offline ecosystem.

Bahamas. World "beacons" - Atlantis Paradise Island and Baha Mar (artisanally do not quote brands, but indicate the model): a typical "casino-resort" with the integration of casino floors, MICE and luxury recreation. The access policy is still "tourist-centric."

Access for locals

Saint Lucia: "legal but spot" model; social focus - on tourists and controlled formats. The online sector is not locally licensed, so there is no "mass" involvement of residents through local domains.

Dominican Republic: Access is open to tourists and locals alike, with rules set by DCJA; online operators are required to comply with the new 2024 resolution.

Bahamas: Casino access threshold for citizens/residents limited; tourists 18 + play freely. In parallel, "gaming houses" are regulated for local (another category of gambling activity). The discussion of indulgences was conducted, but the basic principle of "casino - for tourists" remains.

Online gambling

Saint Lucia: not settled; practical access - through offshore platforms, which reduces fiscal returns and control of responsible play.

Dominican Republic: Settled 2024 (Resolution 136-2024) - license model, hosting/responsible play requirements.

Bahamas: Gaming Act 2014 provided a framework for "domestic gaming" and online services, but casino-gaming for tourists and the "home" segment for residents continue to be regulated differentially.

Economy and tourism: who benefits

St Lucia: Bet on nature and luxury all-inclusive; games - maximum "addition" to the package. Small infrastructure = low social cost, but also less fiscal return than neighbors with a casino cluster.

Dominican Republic: "wide funnel" - a combination of mass beach tourism with casinos and now with a regulated online segment. This increases the multiplier of tourist spending on destinations.

Bahamas: premium resorts with a pronounced casino entertainment component for foreigners. Sharing access reduces internal social risks, while maintaining a high "check" attractiveness for tourist traffic.

Risks and social aspects

St Lucia: The main risk is informational: travel guides and catalogues may contain out-of-date data on properties (including Treasure Bay). Checking "on the ground" is mandatory.

Dominican Republic: challenge - enforcement of new rules for online operators and their integration with the existing offline ecosystem (KYC/AML, advertising, player protection).

Bahamas: politically sensitive sharing of access (local vs tourists) periodically discussed; possible amendments are being studied, but the status quo remains.

What it means for the tourist

If you want a "casino resort" - it's easier to fly to the DR or the Bahamas: there casinos are built into the product.

Fly to St Lucia for nature/peace of mind - target yachts, diving, gastronomy, spa; the game component, if found, will be point.

Online game: in DR - legal regulated format; in Saint Lucia - without a local license; in the Bahamas - according to a differentiated model (tourists/residents).

Forecast to 2030

St. Lucia: likely to retain "eco-luxury" positioning with minimal casino infrastructure; potential - in niche slot lounges if the business sees demand, but this will not change the destination profile.

Dominican Republic: will strengthen the "offline + online" bundle if the enforcement of Resolution 136-2024 remains consistent (taxes, local hosting, RG).

Bahamas: Basic "casino-for-tourists" model to continue; point adjustments to the rules of participation of residents are possible, but the vector for tourism in the casino sector will remain dominant.

Saint Lucia - about nature and privacy, DR - about scale and hybrid offline/online, Bahamas - about premium casino-resorts for tourists. If your editorial task is to show where the "gaming product" really forms the core of the tourism offering, then the Dominican Republic and Bahamas are visual contrasts to St. Lucia, where gambling remains a minor touch to recreation.