Casino gaming could soon be on its way to the island of Bermuda after the small island territory’s gambling regulator awarded its inaugural license to the 120-room The St Regis Bermuda Resort.
According to a Saturday report from the Caribbean National Weekly newspaper, the move from the Bermuda Gaming Commission?has topped a long process that dates back to the 2016 passage of legislation that allows luxury hotels on the small archipelago of approximately 64,000 people to feature casinos offering a wide variety of games. The subsequent route to opening the British Overseas Territory’s first gambling-friendly facility was reportedly nonetheless later plagued by political infighting, financial uncertainties and worries over sufficient regulatory know-how.
Continuing campaign:
However, The St Regis Bermuda Resort could now reportedly host the jurisdiction’s first real casino should it be able to satisfy a number of coming operational hurdles to be overseen by the Bermuda Gaming Commission. The four-star facility at the northern end of St George Parish purportedly only opened its doors some 17 months ago and already moreover features a function room, a restaurant, a spa and an 18-hole golf course all managed by American hotels giant Marriott International Incorporated.
Successful scrutiny:
The Bermuda Gaming Commission reportedly used an official press release to disclose that it decided to award the casino license to The St Regis Bermuda Resort following an extensive and in-depth suitability review with the certification to now be held by the actual owner of the property, HotelCo Bermuda Holding Limited. The regulator purportedly furthermore proclaimed that issues still to be resolved before the gambling-friendly facility can open include the hiring and training of staff, the purchase and installation of approved gaming equipment, the property’s establishment of a compliance team and ‘the finalization of internal controls to ensure compliance with the statutory framework’.
Reportedly read a statement from the Bermuda Gaming Commission…
“The Bermuda Gaming Commission has determined that the applicant has met the legislative suitability requirements for a license under the Gaming Act and Regulations. The opening date of the casino is entirely dependent on the operator meeting all legislative requirements for the opening, which will be subject to review and approval by the Bermuda Gaming Commission, and we continue to be ready to effect regulatory and supervisory responsibilities.”
Duelling duo:
The Caribbean National Weekly reported that Bermuda Gaming Commission divulged in January that it hoped it would be able to open the territory’s first casino by the end of June. Nevertheless, The St Regis Bermuda Resort is now purportedly in a race with the nearby Hamilton Princess Hotel and Beach Club facility, which applied for a license in August, over who will be able to premiere the island jurisdiction’s inaugural casino.