BGLC Explores Online Gambling in Jamaica

It’s too soon to celebrate, but the fact that the Betting, Gaming and Lotteries Commission is considering to regulate online gambling in Jamaica, is a good sign.

Those asking whether it is legal for a Jamaican to use online gambling might soon receive a positive answer. According to Jamaican gambling news, the Betting, Gaming and Lotteries Commission (BGLC) is analyzing other countries’ regulations for future reference, as demand grows for internet gambling in Jamaica. The first step is to present a position to the Ministry of Finance and the Public Service for review.

The worldwide popularity of online gambling, specifically fantasy sports, has come to the attention of the BGLC. “It is especially popular in the United States, India and China, with recorded annual sales in the high billions,” stated the Commission. Their release confirms that Jamaicans are increasingly interested in such games, therefore, the topic will be “explored in detail during the BGLC’s upcoming Gaming Industry Summit on Thursday.”

Pushing towards online gambling in Jamaica

Jamaican gambling laws are set in The Betting, Gaming and Lotteries Act, which was amended with the definition of “electronic” in order to “authorise the negotiation of bets by electronic means,” stated the commission in a press release. The amendment also defines “online betting” as “betting by electronic means including any form of betting via telephone or the Internet or such other online communication system approved by the Commission.”