The Prime Minister of?Jamaica?has kept his promise and has brought legislation before the Parliament to legalize casino gambling on the island. It continues to be a controversial issue in the country with opponents saying casino gambling will be “socially demoralizing”. However, proponents tout the economic boost that casinos can bring to help combat the crushing poverty that much of the island’s residents are mired in.

There are already two developments in the works that depend on this legislation passing. One casino license has been promised to the $5 billion dollar Harmony Cove resort in Trelawny and another has been promised to Celebration Jamaica for a resort project in St. James. Parliament is expected to review the new laws December 1.