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The first casino in Jamaica is now expected to be opened in the first quarter of 2026, pending the necessary approvals from regulators.
Enzo Pezzoli, managing director of Princess Hotels and Resorts, said preparation for the opening of the casino, located in the Princess Grand Jamaica at Green Island in Hanover, is far advanced. However, he did not provide an exact date for its opening.
“It’s difficult to say, but I would say first quarter 2026. There have not been any particular challenges, but since, as you know, it’s the first casino in Jamaica, we are working with the (Casino) Gaming Commission to put together all the required documentation while at the same time fine-tuning all aspects of the core, the machines and the equipment that we need,” Pezzoli told the Financial Gleaner.
The Princess Grand Jamaica is one of two Princess Resorts developed in Hanover at a cost of US$400 million, the other being the Princess Senses The Mangrove.
The two hotels, with 1,005-rooms and several overwater suites, were officially opened by Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness in December last year. At that time, it was stated that the casino was scheduled to be opened in the last quarter of this year.
The establishment of the first casino in Jamaica has been a long time in coming.
Legislation to make casino gaming legal was promulgated in 2010, but none of the early approved resorts came to fruition.
Following recommendations of the COVID-19 Economic Recovery Task Force chaired by former Minister of Finance and the Public Service Dr Nigel Clarke, the law was amended in 2021 after complaints that the conditions to acquire a casino licence were too onerous. After the amendment, new bids were sought.
Meanwhile, the Casino Gaming Commission (CGC), the regulatory body for casino gaming in the country, says it continues to lay the groundwork for a modern, transparent, and fully compliant casino gaming industry.
“The CGC’s foremost responsibility is to build a foundation that ensures Jamaica’s casino industry grows with integrity, accountability, and respect for the law,” said Casino Gaming Commission CEO Cleveland Allen.
“This means creating systems that protect investors, operators, employees, and the wider public while fostering confidence that every dollar earned is managed in a fair and transparent manner,” he said.
The CGC said that over the past year, it has strengthened its licensing, compliance, and monitoring mechanisms while rolling out digital tools to improve efficiency and accessibility. These measures ensure that prospective licensees are thoroughly vetted, operations are monitored in real time, and the public remains informed about the commission’s regulatory oversight, the agency said.
The CGC has also signed a memorandum of understanding with the Financial Investigations Division to provide additional support for information sharing and investigation of financial crimes related to gaming operations.
Princess Resorts will become the first licensed integrated resort development under the Casino Gaming Act. Each integrated resort will combine luxury accommodations, entertainment, and gaming facilities.
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