Jamaica Cracking Down On Underage Gambling. – The St Kitts Nevis Observer

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Jamaica’s Betting, Gaming and Lotteries Commission (BGLC) is ramping up its public education efforts to ensure that all gaming machine operators are fully aware their responsibilities as regards licensing.

The Jamaican Betting, Gaming, and Lotteries Commission describes gaming machines as “poker boxes”, or  slot machines.  Both machines and premises must be licensed to a “suitable person”.

To game or gamble, the participant must be 18 years of age and over. A recent press release from the Commission and some news reports have given the impression that Jamaica has a considerable problem with underage gambling.

Ian Grant, guidance counsellor and school chaplain of St Andrew Technical High School for the last nine years told the Commission. “With daily survival on the line for many households, underage gambling is simply a part of it,”

Owners or operators of premises on which gaming machines are operated without a licence are liable to punishment by fine and/or imprisonment upon conviction.

Director of Licensing and Registration, Vivian Nunes, said the enhanced sensitisation is imperative to boost compliance within the gaming industry.

What is the difference between gambling and gaming?

These terms cause a lot of confusion, but basically gambling involves playing for money, whereas computer gaming may appear similar in some respects to gambling, but does not involve winning and losing money.

However the gambling industry tends to use the words interchangeably, so a “gaming machine” such as a poker machine in a bar is most likely to be a gambling machine, regardless of what it is called.

Even the Jamaican Betting, Gaming and Lotteries Commission does not make this difference clear in the materials that it distributes.

“Gaming machines are required to be licensed, so too the premises on which they are being operated. While persons may see the [licensing] process as a bit tedious, it is better to be in compliance with the law as opposed to suffering the consequences of enforcement,”  said Mr. Nunes.

Mr. Nunes noted that individuals can apply for a licence at any time. Operators who fail to comply can face fines and the potential seizure of their gaming machines.

He said that while the BGLC is prepared to enforce punitive measures, the Commission is more interested in compliance.

The organisation is actively reaching out through various channels, including radio, social media and direct engagement with bar operators where gaming machines are commonly found.

The Director shared that the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) has shown interest in collaborating with his organisation to engage with local bar operators through sensitisation sessions.

“We intend to be party to those sessions, so that we can reach as many people as possible. We have found that many persons are not aware that there is a requirement for licensing. The thrust of the Commission is to have the industry operating in a structured and well-run manner, and we crave for compliance over enforcement any day,” Mr. Nunes said.

He is encouraging all prospective and current gaming machine operators to contact the Licensing and Registration Division for comprehensive information on compliance requirements.

Source: Jamaica Government Information Service.

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