Jamaica is taking important steps toward the introduction of casino gaming as part of its broader strategy to attract foreign investment and improve its tourism sector. This decision, however, comes with a challenge: ensuring that responsible gaming practices are embedded within the country’s regulatory framework. In her paper, “Implementing an Effective Framework for Securing Player Health in a Tourist Casino User Population – the Jamaican Experiment”, Anna I. Harry, General Counsel at the Casino Gaming Commission (CGC) of Jamaica, explores the country’s approach to establishing responsible gaming standards for its future casino market.
Jamaica’s tourism sector has long been a key driver of its economy, attracting millions of visitors each year. In 2023, the country welcomed approximately 4.1 million visitors, generating over US$4.3 billion in revenue. Despite this, casino gaming has not yet been fully integrated into the Jamaican landscape. While the Casino Gaming Act (CGA) was passed in 2010 to facilitate this development, and amendments were made in 2021 to encourage integrated resort developments, the island has yet to see a fully operational casino. Instead, the gaming sector is currently regulated under the Betting, Gaming and Lotteries Commission (BGLC), with gaming machines in hotels, bars, and betting shops serving as the primary form of gambling.
Laying the groundwork for responsible gaming
The absence of casinos has not deterred Jamaica from laying the groundwork for responsible gaming initiatives, which are now being considered for the imminent launch of the casino industry. According to Harry, the regulatory model in Jamaica must consider the unique demographic composition of its expected casino patrons—primarily tourists, both local and international. The CGC, which will oversee casino operations, has already laid out a comprehensive framework for responsible gaming that places emphasis on harm reduction, informed decision-making, and operator responsibility.
The responsible gaming program in Jamaica is relatively new but shows promise, according to Anna I. Harry, having been implemented by the BGLC and supported by RISE Life Management Services (RISE), a local NGO. The initiative includes counselling services for individuals facing gambling-related problems, educational programs targeting youth, and training for gaming lounge staff. In 2021, a study conducted by Hope Caribbean Company on behalf of the BGLC assessed public awareness of responsible gambling messages, finding a base awareness rate of 41 percent among respondents. More troublingly, the study revealed that a significant portion of gamblers in Jamaica fall into problem or pathological gambling categories.
In response to this, the BGLC has continued refining its approach, with a follow-up study conducted in early 2024 showing a rise in awareness of responsible gambling, reaching 57 percent. While this marks progress, concerns remain, particularly with younger populations, explains Anna I. Harry. Reports indicate that underage gambling is becoming a significant issue, with 15 percent of calls to RISE relating to children, and an increasing number of schools requesting interventions to address gambling among students.
Core principles of the CGC’s responsible gaming framework
The CGC’s framework for responsible casino gaming is built on three core principles: informed choices, operator responsibility, and collaboration and knowledge sharing. To achieve these goals, patrons will be provided with clear, accessible information regarding the risks of gambling and guidance on where to seek help if necessary. Operators are expected to implement practices that minimise harm, including responsible advertising, ensuring staff are trained to handle at-risk patrons, and preventing underage or vulnerable individuals from engaging in gambling activities.
A significant component of the CGC’s model is the regulation of advertising practices, aimed at protecting vulnerable groups such as children and young people. The CGC is setting standards that will ensure advertisements are truthful, not misleading, and carry appropriate warnings about the risks of gambling. By promoting international collaboration, the CGC also seeks to keep up with best practices and ensure that Jamaica’s gambling regulations align with global standards for responsible gaming, explains Anna I. Harry.
The future of responsible gaming in Jamaica
The ultimate goal of the CGC is to foster a sustainable and ethical casino gaming environment in Jamaica, where patrons can engage in gambling activities with an informed understanding of the risks involved. As Harry’s paper outlines, the regulatory framework not only addresses the needs of the tourists who will be the primary patrons of casinos but also takes into account the broader social responsibility the country has toward minimising gambling-related harm.
The success of this model, however, will depend on continued cooperation between regulators, operators, and stakeholders within the Jamaican gaming community, states Anna I. Harry. If successfully implemented, Jamaica could become a model for responsible gaming practices in the Caribbean, ensuring that its tourism-driven casino industry grows in a sustainable, ethically responsible manner.
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