Senate passes regulation for Casino gambling at resorts

Daraine Luton, Senior Staff Reporter

The way is now clear for companies to apply for licences which will allow casino gambling at resorts.

This morning, the Senate passed the regulations to facilitate the application of casino gaming licences for approved integrated resort development.

But the snail's pace at which the Government has been moving to have casino gaming a reality in Jamaica caused two senators to argue that the country is missing out on investments.

Government Senator Noel Sloley believes it has taken too long for the state to press ahead with the regulatory framework for casino gaming.

And his opposition counterpart Alexander Williams agreed.

In the meantime, Opposition Senator Kamina Johnson Smith begged the Government to withdraw the regulations and correct what she argues are significant defects.

But the Leader of Government Business A.J. Nicholson said the Senate does not have the power to amend regulations.

However, he says the technical persons in the Finance Ministry have been instructed to take notes and report to the Senate in two weeks about whether the points raised by the Senators merit inclusion in the regulations.


Like our new Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/gleanerjamaica

Follow us on Twitter http://twitter.com/JamaicaGleaner

radio@gleanerjm.com