Government of Jamaica
Kingston, Jamaica – The Casino Gaming Commission (CGC) has issued Jamaica’s first casino gaming operator’s licence, marking a historic milestone in the development of the island’s regulated casino gaming sector.
The licence has been granted to Adamas Grand Casino Limited, to operate the proposed casino at the Princess Grand Jamaica Resort in Green Island, Hanover. Adamas Grand Casino Limited will operate the casino under a Management Agreement with Grupo Orenes, a diversified Spanish gaming and hospitality group with established casino operations in Spain, Mexico and Andorra.
The grant of the licence follows a rigorous and extensive due diligence process conducted by the CGC’s Enforcement and Investigations Division and licensing review by the Licensing and Registration Division. This process assessed the suitability, integrity, financial standing and business ability of the applicant, its ownership structure and its associated entities, in keeping with the requirements of the Casino Gaming Act.
The licence is subject to a comprehensive set of conditions which the licensee must satisfy prior to and throughout the course of operations. These include the establishment of approved internal controls, a compliance framework, a surveillance system, responsible gaming and player protection measures, anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing compliance systems, and full technical integration with the Commission’s Gaming Management Information System (GMIS).
Beyond the issuance of a licence, this milestone represents the formal establishment of Jamaica’s regulated casino gaming industry and the opening of a new avenue for economic growth. The project represents an investment of approximately US$800 million in Jamaica’s tourism sector and is expected to generate significant employment, stimulate local procurement, expand the country’s tourism offering, and create sustainable economic value, all within a regulatory framework designed to safeguard the public interest and the integrity of Jamaica’s financial system.
Commenting on this milestone, Minister of Finance and the Public Service, Honourable 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. Casino gaming will operate under the Casino Gaming Commission (CGC) with the same anti-money laundering and beneficial-ownership requirements we apply across the financial sector.”
Minister Williams also highlighted that the investment in the Princess Grand Jamaica Resort and Adamas Grand Casino in Hanover is estimated to generate hundreds of temporary and permanent jobs for Jamaicans, and signals confidence in Jamaica as a destination for well-regulated investment.
She added:
“This milestone reflects the same governance standards that have supported our progress with the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) and our broader financial sector reforms. It signals Jamaica’s readiness to welcome world-class investment that will expand our tourism product, create quality employment, stimulate local businesses, and generate sustainable revenues for the country.”
The Minister also highlighted that expansion of the casino gaming sector is expected soon.
“As we strengthen these foundations, we expect Jamaica to attract further strategic investment that diversifies the economy and delivers lasting value to the country.”
Chairman of the Casino Gaming Commission’s Board, Ryan Reid, welcomed the announcement.
“Today marks a significant step forward, not only for the casino gaming industry, but for the wider development of our tourism product and our national growth. The CGC remains resolute in ensuring that this sector develops responsibly and in a manner that maximises long-term benefits for Jamaica and its people.”
The milestone also reflects more than a decade of regulatory preparation by the Commission, including the development of a comprehensive licensing framework, investigative and compliance capabilities, responsible gaming safeguards, regulatory technology, and oversight systems aligned with international best practice. Jamaica’s casino regulatory framework is founded on internationally recognised principles of transparency, financial integrity, responsible gaming, and robust regulatory oversight.
Chief Executive Officer of the CGC, Cleveland Allen, described the milestone as the culmination of more than a decade of sustained institutional development.
“The issuance of Jamaica’s first casino operator’s licence is the culmination of more than a decade of deliberate institution-building and regulatory preparation,” Allen said. “This milestone demonstrates that Jamaica has established a modern regulatory framework capable of supporting world-class casino gaming while safeguarding the public interest. Our responsibility extends well beyond licensing. Through rigorous oversight, uncompromising compliance standards, and continuous supervision, we will ensure that this industry develops with integrity, transparency, and accountability. That is how investor confidence is strengthened, public trust is maintained, and sustainable economic value is created for Jamaica.”
The casino will form part of an approved Integrated Resort Development, in keeping with Jamaica’s regulatory framework, which requires casino gaming to operate as a complementary component of larger-scale tourism infrastructure investment. The Commission will continue working closely with Adamas Grand Casino Limited as it progresses toward satisfying the remaining pre-operational regulatory requirements ahead of the casino’s opening. The Commission will maintain continuous regulatory oversight throughout this process and over the life of the licence to ensure ongoing compliance with Jamaican law, licence conditions, and internationally recognised regulatory standards.
Last month the CGC team trained with world-renowned game protection expert Richard Marcus, sharpening the skills used to regulate live table games like blackjack, roulette, baccarat, and craps. The training focused on game-play rules, dealing standards, and detecting advantage play and cheating methods used by casino cheats across the world.
That training occurred just weeks after the Commission hosted a three-day workshop with Gaming Laboratories International, dubbed GLI University, which covered casino licensing, slot machine engineering, forensic investigations, and the mathematical calculations behind odds, payouts, and profitability.
Following the recent passing of the Casino Gaming (General) Regulations, 2025, the CGC is now reviewing Jamaica’s first application for a casino gaming licence.
