by Mildred Europa Taylor, Face2FaceAfrica
Jamaica’s first casino is scheduled to open in February 2027 at the Princess Grand Jamaica Resort in Green Island, Hanover, following the issuance of the country’s first casino gaming operator’s licence.
Adamas Grand Casino Limited, the gaming operator affiliated with the Princess Hotels and Resorts development on the island’s northwestern coast, was granted the licence by the Casino Gaming Commission (CGC) earlier this year.
Princess Hotels and Resorts Jamaica confirmed the opening of the casino during World Travel Week 2026 on October 14, when the hotel group bagged 11 international awards across luxury hospitality, weddings, conferences and culinary excellence, according to The Gleaner.
The casino will not be for only foreign visitors, as in some countries, but will also welcome eligible Jamaican gamblers as part of efforts to modernize the tourism sector.
Renowned architect Manuel Clavel designed the casino, which comes with slot machines and live games such as craps, blackjack, roulette and poker, as reported by The Gleaner.
Beyond gaming, the facility will also feature an exclusive nightclub, a sports bar, and premium dining with live performances, the outlet added.
The casino, which will operate under a management agreement with Spanish gaming and hospitality company Grupo Orenes, is part of Princess Hotels and Resorts’ $400-million investment in Hanover, which includes Princess Grand Jamaica.
The opening of the casino marks the culmination of a journey that started with the 2010 passage of Jamaica’s Casino Gaming Act, which established the regulatory structure for casino operations in designated integrated resort developments, The Gleaner said.
Per the legislation, casinos should not operate independently but as part of large-scale tourism investments incorporating accommodation, entertainment, dining and other facilities.
Even though Adamas Grand Casino Limited has earned its operator’s licence, the company must meet some regulatory conditions before opening.
Some of the conditions include responsible gaming safeguards, anti-money laundering measures, surveillance and security systems, player protection protocols and integration with the Casino Gaming Commission’s Gaming Management Information System, according to The Gleaner.
The opening of the casino is a milestone for Jamaica’s tourism industry as it seeks to create new opportunities in entertainment and hospitality, with regulated casino gaming being an additional attraction for foreign visitors.
The country earned $2.5 billion in tourism revenue and welcomed 2.34 million visitors as of August 31, 2026.