Jamaica has issued its first casino resort licence to Adamas Grand Casino Limited for the Princess Grand Jamaica Resort in Green Island, Hanover. The property is scheduled to open in Q4 2026, ahead of the winter tourist season. Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett confirmed that at least three more projects are considering licence applications.
One candidate is the Hard Rock resort in Rose Hall. Bartlett stressed that all applicants must pass strict vetting and meet regulatory requirements. Under the Casino Gaming Act, casinos are permitted only as part of integrated resort complexes; standalone gaming floors are prohibited. Both residents and tourists may play, but access to the gaming floor is restricted to resort guests or visitors with authorised access.
Casino Gaming Commission chairman Cleveland Allen said Princess is targeting a December 2026 opening, though the licence allows the operator until 31 March 2027 to satisfy all regulatory conditions.
The commission has signed a memorandum with RISE Life Management, supported by the Responsible Gambling Council of Ontario, to implement responsible gaming measures before launch: staff training, player protection and self-exclusion programmes. Bartlett sees the casino sector as a way to attract higher-spending visitors and create jobs requiring specialised skills.
