MONDAY IS JAMAICA CASINO GAMBLING CRUNCH DAY

28 November 2008

Cabinet to decide on whether the island should introduce gambling as a tourist attraction

 

Monday is crunch day for the possible introduction of casino gambling on the island of Jamaica. Local radio reports are that the much debated decision on whether to press ahead with land casino plans as an added tourist attraction will be made at Monday's Cabinet meeting.

Finance Minister Audley Shaw has placed the issue on the agenda, asking Cabinet for a green light in order to further stimulate local tourism, with one major project on hold pending a favourable decision.

He is backed by PM Bruce Golding, who announced government support for the new gambling policy back in April this year. Golding said that if the policy is accepted by Cabinet and Parliament, operators of casinos will be given government approval based on due diligence, including fit and proper tests as well as an evaluation of their track record.

It is unknown whether there are any provisions for online gambling activity on the agenda.