Jamaica’s First IRD Casino Licence Signals a New Era — And Creates a Unique Shortcut for Investors

July 31, 2026

Landbased Casino NewsJuly 31, 20265 min read

Jamaica’s gaming sector reached a historic milestone with the announcement that Adamas Grand Casino Limited, operator of the Princess Grand Jamaica Resort in Hanover, has secured the country’s first Casino Gaming Act operator’s licence. This marks the official beginning of Jamaica’s Integrated Resort Development (IRD) casino framework — a model reserved for large‑scale, high‑value tourism projects combining hotels, entertainment, attractions, and regulated casino gaming.

While the Princess licence is dominating headlines, the deeper story is how this development reshapes investor interest across Jamaica’s gaming landscape — especially for operators seeking faster, lower‑barrier entry into the market.

IRD Casinos: A New Category of High‑End Gaming

Under the Casino Gaming Act (2010), full casino gaming is permitted only inside approved IRDs, each requiring:

2,000+ hotel rooms,
1,000 rooms operational before casino opening,
A full integrated resort footprint,
Extensive due diligence, fit‑and‑proper testing, and international compliance standards.

This is a completely separate licensing regime from Jamaica’s long‑established hotel‑based slot casinos operating under the Betting, Gaming & Lotteries Act (BGLA).

The Princess licence does not replace existing gaming — it introduces a new premium tier of large‑scale casino operations.

More IRDs Are Coming — But Slowly

Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett confirmed that at least three additional IRD investors — including the proposed Hard Rock Hotel in Rose Hall — are exploring casino licensing.

However, he stressed that the approval process is extremely demanding:

“It requires a heavy level of due diligence and compliance with local and international standards.”

This ensures Jamaica will not become a casino-saturated market. IRDs will remain limited, exclusive, and tightly regulated.

Existing Hotel Casinos Remain Fully Protected

A critical legal point often overlooked:

Existing hotel casinos and slot rooms are NOT affected by IRD licensing.

If you’re exploring entry into Jamaica’s rapidly expanding casino market, this is the most efficient and strategically secure opportunity available. With fully licensed operations, regulator‑approved gaming equipment, and a streamlined due‑diligence transfer process, investors can step directly into a compliant, revenue‑ready casino group. AACASINO Solutions® stands ready to support you with equipment sourcing, staffing, and professional training to ensure seamless operations from day one.

Jamaica’s First IRD Casino Licence Signals a New Era — And Creates a Unique Shortcut for Investors

IRD Casinos: A New Category of High‑End Gaming

More IRDs Are Coming — But Slowly

Existing Hotel Casinos Remain Fully Protected

Existing hotel casinos and slot rooms are NOT affected by IRD licensing.

A Major Advantage for Investors: A Fully Licensed Casino Group Already Exists

A small group of fully licensed hotel casinos is already available for acquisition.

The current operators have already completed Jamaica’s rigorous licensing process.

What a New Buyer Needs: Only Due Diligence for Licence Transfer

**In other words:

AACASINO Solutions®: Full Operational Support for New and Existing Casino Operators

We assist operators with:

Investment Opportunity: A Rare Group of Licensed Casinos for Sale in Jamaica