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Comparison with Jamaica and Barbados
Summary in one paragraph
Trinidad and Tobago - in reform mode: lotteries are conducted by NLCB, and all other verticals are transferred to a single licensing system under the Gambling Control Commission (GCC) under Act 2021 (phased implementation).
Jamaica - mature oversight of betting/gambling halls through BGLC and a separate IR casino mode under Casino Gaming Act 2010 with the Casino Gaming Commission (CGC) regulator; "casino only as part of integrated resorts" model.
Barbados - lottery and betting (including horse racing/slots) allowed, classic casinos prohibited; there is a set of specialized acts and fiscal rules for betting/games.
1) Who regulates
Trinidad and Tobago.
Lotteries - National Lotteries Control Board (NLCB); systemic supervision of casinos/betting/gambling halls is assigned to the GCC as part of the Gambling (Gaming and Betting) Control Act, 2021 (the commission publishes draft regulations and materials on the full proclamation).
Jamaica.
Everyday gambling sector (betting, gaming halls, lotteries) - Betting, Gaming & Lotteries Commission (BGLC); for casinos in integrated resorts - a separate regulator Casino Gaming Commission (CGC) for Casino Gaming Act 2010.
Barbados.
Betting/gaming is regulated by specialized acts, including Betting & Gaming Duties Act and Gambling (Cap. 134) (administration of fiscal rules - through the Barbados Revenue Authority).
2) Land casinos and gaming halls
Trinidad and Tobago.
Historically, classic casinos have not had a positive legal framework; Act 2021 reform creates a path to full licensing of casinos, halls and suppliers - with phased implementation.
Jamaica.
Casinos are allowed only as part of the approved Integrated Resort Developments (IRD) under Casino Gaming Act 2010; CGC is releasing the RG framework for future casinos. For 2024-2025 public sources describe preparations for the launch of the first IRD casinos.
Barbados.
Classic casinos are prohibited; at the same time, other forms are legally allowed - lotteries, sweepstakes/horse racing and slot machines, subject to fiscal/licensing rules.
3) Lotteries
Trinidad and Tobago - NLCB.
The National Lotteries and the culturally iconic Play Whe (36 "signs") are daily circulations and an established retail chain.
Jamaica - overseen by BGLC.
BGLC publishes licensed segment reports and responsible play codes.
Barbados - The Barbados Lottery.
Management of a private operator under a long-term agreement (IGT Global Services) with an extension until 2033 (with the option of extensions).
4) Online segment and gray area
Trinidad and Tobago.
Until the full implementation of Act 2021 for remote channels, online remains "gray" (local lotteries are legal, but a single online license for casinos/bookmakers is still in the process of deployment).
Jamaica.
BGLC oversight and a separate IRD model for casinos; for online licensing, there are general BGLC frameworks/public reports and regulated verticals, while IRD casinos are an offline core with a possible digital ecosystem.
Barbados.
Official norms focus on betting/lottery and fiscal control; classic online casinos are not locally formalized as a separate permitted vertical, with a general ban on offline casinos.
5) Responsible play and reporting
Trinidad and Tobago.
FIU/AML circuit and future GCC rules imply registration, internal control and reporting; as the sections of the act are proclaimed, the standardization of RG/AML will increase.
Jamaica.
BGLC maintains RG codes and industry quarterly reports; CGC has approved the Responsible Gaming Framework for IRD casinos.
Barbados.
Fiscal/regulatory acts and bylaws (including Betting & Gaming Duties Regulations, 1979) set licensing/compliance requirements.
6) What it means for Trinidad and Tobago
Advantages of the starting position:- there is a separate Lottery Institute (NLCB) with steady demand;
- a single regulator (GCC) and a frame for "withdrawing from the gray zone" casinos/halls/bets are created - a chance to overtake the formalization speed.
- Jamaica has IRD models (casinos only as part of large resorts) and public RG/reporting standards (BGLC/CGC).
- in Barbados - the discipline of fiscal betting/lottery administration and the contract model of lottery management.
- a protracted proclamation and by-law can mothball the "gray" online and have no effect in the ground segment;
- competition of Jamaican IRD projects for tourist flow and MICE events.
On the Caribbean map, Trinidad and Tobago is a "reforming" market with a strong lottery (NLCB) and a new GCC commission that should bring casinos/halls/bets into a transparent licensing loop. Jamaica already today combines the tough current oversight of BGLC with a separate IRD casino model for CGC - in fact, it sets the benchmark for the travel industry. Barbados continues a conservative course: lottery and betting with an outright ban on casinos, emphasizing fiscal discipline. For Trinidad and Tobago, this means: quickly bring to mind the Act 2021 by-law, synchronize RG/AML with neighbors and use the window of opportunity while Jamaica's IRD projects are just unfolding.