Turks and Caicos Islands is close to passing new gaming and lottery legislation which would allow for more casinos there.
A new bill will be tabled to the House of Assembly before the end of this year. Last week Cabinet instructed the Attorney General's Chambers to move forward with the recommendations of a consultant report on the TCI's gaming industry, which was carried out by White Brocklebank Associates.
The consultant suggested the development of the bill, to replace the current Gaming Ordinance and the Lottery Ordinance. Premier Rufus Ewing noted that the recommendations made are all geared towards improving and strengthening the regulatory framework of the industry.
"It is envisioned that the industry will be managed through a Gaming Commission, which would be a statutory body as we seek to strengthen the industry and also its capacity to regulate as we expand the industry with new casinos coming on board with the various hotel developments such as the Third Turtle, JW Marriot brand and Utopia.”
He said that a development agreement has already been signed with the Turtle Cove resort, while another is pending for September with the JW Marriot hotel and a memorandum of understanding will be signed later with Utopia. All three of the hotels have casinos as part of their development agreements.
