Jamaica’s Casino Gaming Commission (CGC) has granted the country’s first casino gaming operator’s licence to Adamas Grand Casino Limited, clearing a regulatory hurdle for the launch of casino gaming at Princess Grand Jamaica in Hanover.
The casino will be managed by Spanish gaming and hospitality group Grupo Orenes, which operates gaming venues in Spain, Mexico and Andorra. An opening date has not been confirmed, with the operator still required to complete several pre-operational conditions.
These include the approval of internal controls and surveillance systems, alongside anti-money laundering, counter-terrorism financing and player protection measures.
The casino must also connect to the CGC’s Gaming Management Information System before opening.
The licence follows the passage of the Casino Gaming (General) Regulations in April, which introduced detailed requirements covering licensing, regulatory fees, reporting, record-keeping and enforcement.
The regulations brought the framework created under the Casino Gaming Act 2010 closer to full operation after more than a decade without a licensed casino.
Jamaica’s model restricts casino gaming to approved integrated resort developments rather than permitting stand-alone casinos.
Qualifying developments must include at least 1,000 newly constructed rooms, with at least 500 designated as luxury accommodation, alongside other tourism and entertainment facilities.
Princess Grand Jamaica forms part of a resort development in Hanover that includes Princess Grand Jamaica and the adults-only Princess Senses The Mangrove, providing more than 1,000 rooms across the two properties.
The CGC has also expanded cooperation with the Financial Investigations Division and the Major Organised Crime and Anti-Corruption Agency.
The agreements cover information sharing, illicit finance, fraud, corruption and organised crime risks associated with casino operations.
Jamaica Finance and the Public Service Minister, Fayval Williams, said: “The granting of this licence reflects Jamaica’s continued progress in building a modern economy underpinned by strong institutions and transparent regulation.”
The licence is valid indefinitely but will be reviewed every five years, while the CGC will continue monitoring compliance throughout the casino’s operation.
Jamaica approved the final regulations for its integrated casino resort regime in April, establishing operator standards, player safeguards and enforcement procedures ahead of the first licence award.
Jamaica reduced the minimum room requirement for integrated resort developments from 2,000 to 1,000 in 2021 to encourage large-scale tourism investment
