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Jamaica Gambling Sites, Taxes and Laws

The island country of Jamaica sits in the Caribbean about 90 miles south of Cuba. It is the 4th largest island in the Caribbean and its population is just shy of 3 million.

Jamaica gained independence from the United Kingdom in 1962 and is a unitary parliamentary constitutional monarchy. The country’s mining and tourism industries contribute a great deal to the economy. Approximately 1.3 million tourists visit here each year to enjoy the sun, great beaches, and rich culture.

Since the Betting Commission and Lotteries Act was implemented in 2012, tourists and locals are able to partake in gambling at any of the island’s 12 land-based casinos. Online betting sites represent a different story. Jamaican gambling laws allow for tourists to place online bets but not residents. However, authorities do not penalize residents who participate in this activity.

This guide explores all the technicalities of online gambling in Jamaica, including how to sign up at Jamaican casino sites, the best online casino payments, and more.

Top 10 Gambling Sites for Jamaica in 30 October 2024 – Updated List

Rank
Bookmaker
Bonus
Safe & Trusted
Rating
Get Started
1
Exclusive 200% up to $2000
Yes
Rating 9.99 out of 10
2
100% up to 500 €/$/£
Yes
Rating 9.95 out of 10
3
Welcome package up to 1500 EUR + 150 FS
Yes
Rating 9.93 out of 10
4
100% up to €1500 + 150 FS
Yes
Rating 9.26 out of 10
5
Welcome package 100% up to €1500 + 150 FS
Yes
Rating 9.90 out of 10
6
100% bonus up to €300
Yes
Rating 9.80 out of 10
7
Up to €1500 + 150 Free Spins
Yes
Rating 9.65 out of 10
8
100% up to €100
Yes
Rating 9.52 out of 10
9
Welcome package up to 1500 EUR + 150 FS
Yes
Rating 9.43 out of 10
10
100% up to 1BTC
Yes
Rating 9.18 out of 10

History of Gambling in Jamaica

The Jamaican Gambling Law of 1899 overruled most forms of gambling. Cockfighting was considered illegal and Jamaicans were prohibited from betting in public places. The only legal forms of gambling were horse racing, cycle races, and casino games such as slots, blackjack, and video poker. Slot games were only accessible at selected resorts. Despite this restriction, there was a booming underground betting industry by the 60s, and large sums were spent on football bets and other betting options provided by foreigners. The betting patterns and establishments in the U.S. and U.K gradually began to spread to Jamaica, influencing the gambling attitude of the Jamaicans. By 1965, gambling was legalized under the Betting and Lotteries Act of 1965. Another law was passed in 2012 and was amended 2 years later. While this Jamaican online gambling regulation permits Jamaica betting sites, online casino gambling is considered illegal. Though there were rumors of a possible lifting of the ban at the time of writing this article, online casinos are still considered illegal in Jamaica.

Online gambling laws and regulation in Jamaica

The official gambling authority in Jamaica- the Betting, Gaming and Lotteries Commission, was established in 1975. The Betting Commission and Lotteries Act was introduced in 2010, however, the bill wasn’t enacted till 2012. Some forms of online gambling were legalized in Jamaica following the 2014 amendment of the Betting, Gaming, and Lotteries Act of 2012. Under this law, online horse race betting and simulcast horse race bets were legalized. Online casinos, however, are still restricted. Considering the fact that other countries in the Caribbean such as Curacao or Cuba recently have legalized online gambling since 1996, the prohibition of online gambling in Jamaica is quite surprising. At the time of writing this, there are 20 legal land-based casinos in Jamaica and 2 racetracks.

  • Is Gambling Legal in Jamaica? What is the Legal Age? The legal gambling age in Jamaica is 18 years. Most casinos would not even allow players younger than 18 to register on their site. The Jamaican gambling industry contributed over $900 million in revenue, excluding the proceeds from online gambling websites. There have been 12 casinos built that offer traditional casino games as well as poker. Online gambling is not as straightforward. While it is legal for non-residents to place online wagers, Jamaican gambling laws make it illegal for residents to place online wagers. The authorities do not punish offenders.
  • Does Jamaica Tax Gambling winnings? Yes. However, the gambling tax in Jamaica only applies to online gambling legal activities such as betting on sports and horse racing. The tax rate for online sportsbooks is 16.5% of their gross profit, a 9% tax applies for other types of sports betting. The tax rate for simulcast horse racing is 7.5%.

How much tax is deducted from lottery winnings in Jamaica?

Tip

A 20% tax applies to winnings from lotto draw results that are more than Jamaican Dollar $15,000 (approx. $97). This is referred to as the withholding tax. However, the betting establishment pays this tax, you are not required to pay additional tax after.

Jamaicans surely enjoy playing casino games and this is why the top gambling operators offer a diversity of betting and live betting options to cater to this growing audience. Some of the most popular games played at Jamaican casinos include:

  1. Slot machines – One of the most popular online casino games globally, and in Jamaica as well. With varying themes, gameplays, and Return to player (RTP) to select from, slot machines offer several hours of entertainment to players.
  1. Roulette – Although one of the oldest casino games, roulette is still a top choice among casino players. Asides from being the casino game with the highest RTP, Jamaica online roulette is also available in other popular variants like American, French, European, or live roulette.
  1. Blackjack – As the number one card game at online and land-based casinos, blackjack is a popular fan favorite that offers several variants such as live blackjack to select from.
  1. Poker – A particularly popular poker variant- Caribbean Stud Poker is quite popular among players in Jamaica. Some bettors even argue that the game originated from Jamaica. Other poker variants including video poker and card poker are also fan favorites.
  1. Lottery – The Jamaican lottery is also one of the most popular games played by players at Jamaican casinos. This is why several Jamaica lotto sites are catering to Jamaican players. The national lottery is regulated under the Betting Commission and Lotteries Act.

What are the Best Jamaican Gambling Sites and Promotions?

As could be expected, the biggest and most trusted brands in bookmakers by country have made their presence felt in this Caribbean country. Jamaican online gambling fanatics have lots of great choices to select from when it comes to playing at a reputable online gambling site that offers many valuable bonuses to both newcomers and existing clients. However, many of the Jamaican gambling sites, as well as gambling sites in Puerto Rico, are quite similar in terms of game selection, customer service, and bonuses and promotions. However, some operators have put in extra work to stand out among the rest. In this section, we will be looking at the best online casino Jamaica sites that have been carefully assessed by our experts at GamblingJudge.com. They have assessed key criteria that include licensing, payment methods, diversity of online casino games, authenticity, and security.

You definitely won’t want to miss out on the 25% welcome bonus up to $100 from Intertops. Getting the €100 casino bonuses from Bwin 100% welcome bonus up to 200 EUR is easier than stealing candy from a baby. In no particular order, the best Jamaican casino sites are:

Bwin
BetShah
22Bet
BetWinner
Cobra Casino

What Currencies and Method of Payment do Jamaican Players Generally Use

Jamaican casino site have one major goal, and that is to establish good customer relationships so you’ll keep playing at their website. One of the ways they do this is by providing safe and secure banking options that can facilitate deposits and withdrawals. Both tourists and residents are provided with a broad range of options that are not limited to conventional credit and debit cards.

The Jamaican dollar is the official currency here and it is accepted everywhere. The American dollar is also widely accepted. When Jamaican players are looking for methods to make financial transactions with bookmakers by payment methods, major debit and credit cards are the method of choice. Prepaid options like EntroPay as well as eWallets like Skrill, Neteller, and WebMoney are also widely accepted. The withdrawal and deposit methods available to bettors in Jamaica include:

  • VISA- a popular payment method that allows you to fund your casino account instantly. Available at almost all the casinos on our list.
  • Mastercard- another debit/credit card that offers instant deposit and reasonable withdrawal times,
  • ecoPayz- one of the best casino payments solutions that allow you to complete transactions on your betting account swiftly, safely, and securely.
  • Trustly- a secure financial payment solution that allows you to fund and withdraw from your casino account.
  • Neteller- Neteller is an e-wallet that offers lightning-fast deposit options, and the shortest possible processing times for withdrawals. It is widely accepted at the top online casino sites Jamaica.
  • Skrill- With e-wallets like Skrill, you can expect speed, safety, security, and convenience. This option is available at all the top Jamaican casinos on our list.

It is strongly advised that Jamaican online casino players check with their preferred site to find the most suitable payment option.

The Best Real Money Mobile Casino Apps for Jamaican Players

Tip

Nowadays, most people spend more time on their mobile devices than on computer devices. Thus, the widespread popularity of mobile betting is unsurprising. This is why the availability of a mobile betting platform is one of the key factors considered by our experts. Before including a Jamaican betting site or sports betting exchanges, we ensure that the app is compatible with Android and iOS devices. We also assess other criteria such as: an equal number of sports betting options as desktop versions, the user interface, and functionality. We have listed the best real money Jamaica gambling apps for players.

Online casinos vs land-based casinos in Jamaica

The biggest land-based casino in Jamaica sits on 100,000 square feet of gambling space. As expected, this will require a large overhead cost. In contrast, you can access even the best online casinos in Jamaica with a single tap. With lower operational costs, you can expect to gain more from the casino in form of betting bonuses and promotions.

Due to personal reasons, amongst others, Not every player likes to gamble in public, this is almost impossible with land-based casinos. However, online casinos allow players to wager anonymously, without any fear of their identity being uncovered. Some players even take it up a notch by using VPN, and you’ll be almost invisible.

The easy accessibility of online casinos poses a danger, especially for problem gamblers. This is one of the biggest disadvantages of online casinos, however, some casinos offer responsible gambling measures that can help to fight gambling addiction.

The Most Famous Jamaica Casino Resorts

Like most Caribbean sea islands, Jamaica is popular for its warm climate and colorful beaches, making it a popular tourist destination. It’s even normal for people to wonder- ‘are there casinos in Jamaica?’ Some resorts also provide gambling services as one of the entertainment options for tourists. Some of the most popular Jamaica casino resorts include:

  • Mosino- certainly one of the best Casino Resorts globally, Mosino is located in Montego Bay. Offers broad gambling options that include horse racing, blackjack, and roulette.
  • Club Jamaica Gaming Lounge- sits on 7,000 square feet of gambling space, Club Jamaica offers several gaming and relaxation options to indigenes and tourists.
  • Terra Nova Jamaica- arguably the biggest Casino in Kingston, the Monte Carlo Gaming Lounge is a casino situated within the Terra Nova hotel complex. The establishment boasts over 150 casino games.

Customer Service at online casino in Jamaica

Further Information

Customer service is one of the key factors to consider before deciding to wager at any casino. At one point or the other, you will need to speak with a customer service rep at the casino site when playing online. Customers can contact the customer service at Jamaican betting sites via telephone, email, live chat. Not to worry, all the online casino sites we recommend offer unbeatable customer service. Their professional and knowledgeable team is willing to do their very best to solve your problems. Some Jamaican websites on our list offer 24/7 customer support, while others do not. Multilingual support is also available on our recommended websites.

Tips & Tricks for gambling at Jamaican casinos

This section appears simple, but it has been curated from extensive research of the best tutorials and strategies for gambling at Jamaican casinos.

  • Compare, then choose the best casino welcome bonus in your bookmaker’s currencies; this allows you to increase your bankroll, especially as a new player.
  • Avoid high roller casinos, particularly if you are a newbie. As long as you wager a significant amount of money on the website, you will be enrolled into the casino VIP program at most casinos, such as Aruba gambling sites and laws.
  • Cash in on all the casino benefits by taking advantage of other online casino promotions and offers such as the 1 min deposit casino bonus and the 3 minimum deposit casino bonus.

Pros and cons of online gambling in Jamaica

PROS

  • Lucrative welcome packages for Jamaican players
  • Multiple payment methods accepted
  • Diverse game collection powered by the best online casino software developers such as Evolution Gaming, NetEnt and so on.
  • A broad range of live dealer games at the best live casinos

CONS

  • Online casinos are tightly regulated

Frequently Asked Questions about Casinos in Jamaica

Absolutely. You can safely gamble online in Jamaica. Although this is only possible if you play at a trusted casino site. We have saved you the stress by providing you with this list. All the casinos on our list are safe and secure.

Definitely, Jamaican casino resorts are popular tourist destinations. There are 3 popular casino resorts that we have mentioned previously in this article.

Yes. You can win real money by playing on Jamaican mobile casino apps. With new online casinos springing up everywhere, you might find it difficult to find a genuine casino app, we’ve listed them in this article.

Some casinos offer a no deposit bonus, which can be claimed even without making any deposit on the website. However, no matter how much you have won, you will not be able to withdraw your winnings, until you fund your betting account and meet the wagering requirement for the bonus.

It is not uncommon for betting operators to cheat bettors out of their winnings. In fact, in countries like Jamaica where online casino sites are not exactly legal, the risks are higher. This is why we advise that you play at only safe casino sites, like those on our list.

Although it is technically not in line with the laws to bet at online casino sites in Jamaica, there are no known records of individual gamblers being prosecuted for gambling online. As long as you bet at legal gambling sites and you take other precautionary measures, you’re good to go.

Exploring Jamaica’s Hidden Gems- Online Casinos!

If you have read this guide up until this point, then you are aware that entertainment in Jamaica isn’t limited to only reggae music and tropical beaches. It doesn’t matter if you’re a tourist or a resident in Jamaica, this guide was created to serve all categories of bettors looking to get in on the action at Jamaican casino sites. In this guide, you’ll find all the necessary info pertaining to online gambling in Jamaica. If you want to broaden your gambling horizons you can try our Bahamas online gambling sites or mobile betting sites and as long as you play at our approved casinos, and you can expect the best gambling experience you’d find anywhere.

The best overall gambling site in Jamaica

Full with available gambling bonuses