St Regis resort granted Bermuda’s first casino licence
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The St Regis hotel has been granted the island’s first casino licence, the Bermuda Gaming Commission announced yesterday.
However, no date has been set for an opening, with operational steps to complete before the dice can start rolling.
A statement from the BGC said: “Bermuda’s established legislative framework for the licensing and opening of a casino involves a three-stage process.
“Following an extensive and in-depth suitability review, the Bermuda Gaming Commission has granted Bermuda’s first casino licence to Hotelco Bermuda Holding Ltd o/a St Regis Bermuda Resort.
“The commission has determined that the applicant has met the legislative suitability requirements for a licence under the Gaming Act and Regulations.”
The statement said that the issuance of the licence permits the applicant to address necessary steps to comply with all the legislative requirements to open the casino.
“These are predominantly operational in nature which will include, but are not limited to, the establishment of the casino’s compliance committee, the finalisation of internal controls to ensure compliance with the statutory framework, the recruitment and training of employees, and the purchase, shipping and installation of gaming equipment and systems.”
The statement added: “The opening date of the casino is entirely dependent on the casino operator meeting all legislative requirements for opening which will be subject to the commission’s review and approval.
“The commission continues to be ready to effect regulatory and supervisory responsibilities.”
Progress in getting a casino up and running in Bermuda has been slow. In January, the BGC said it was hoped a casino would open in June.
In an interview with The Royal Gazette, Jean Major, the chief executive of the Bermuda Gaming Commission, said the operation was “progressing well” and that “June is entirely possible, but I don’t want to put a definite timeline on it”.
In September last year, the Premier, David Burt, said that Bermuda’s first casino was expected to open its doors in 2021.
Mr Burt said Hotelco, the developer behind the St Regis hotel in St George’s, had submitted a formal application for a full casino licence this summer.
The Hamilton Princess & Beach Club has formally served notice of its aim to have a casino.
