Trifter

Jamaican casinos or gaming lounges as they are more popularly known play host to an array of exciting games such as electronic craps, blackjack, roulette, Caribbean stud poker and video poker among others.

Until recently, the Jamaican government did not support casino-style gambling. It was just in April 2008 that Jamaican Prime Minister, Bruce Golding, gave the green light to develop the first legal casino house in the country. However, many resorts have been granted special licences that allow them to operate on their premises. As a result, you can now find casinos/gaming lounges popping up in tourist areas such as Kingston, Negril, Ocho Rios and Montego Bay.

A far cry from the grand casinos of Las Vegas, Jamaican casinos still have something to offer players. A warm, cosy place to gamble where you don’t have to worry about con artists trying to rip off your coins, and oh, you only have to be 18 years old to gamble or drink in Jamaica. Isn’t it lovely?

Here is a list that will make your quest for the best casinos in Jamaica go smoothly:

Kingston

On the southern end of the island, a must stop for those who want to roll the dice on their luck is The Terra Nova Hotel and Monte Carlo Gaming. With 137 gaming options including roulette, slots and track betting, a gambler is sure to have a good time here. Guests can all enjoy a full bar filled with an assortment of Jamaican rum, a restaurant that can suit even the pickiest of eaters and great service from a cordial staff. The Terra Nova Hotel has 44 rooms and rates start at US$139 per night for a standard room in the summer.

Also featured in Jamaica’s capital is The Acropolis Gaming and Entertainment Centre. Opened in 2005, this Jamaican casino hosts about 150 slot machines, a restaurant and a bar. It’s about 12,000 square feet and is owned by Supreme Ventures Limited that operates the Jamaican Lottery, Cash Pot, Lucky 5, Pick 3 and other games popular among Jamaicans.

The Villagio Gaming Lounge, also operated by Supreme Ventures Limited, is located in the 303-room Hilton Kingston hotel, near the pool. The Villagio offers gaming on slot machines and games such as Roulette, Royal Ascot Horseracing, Blackjack and Three Card Poker. The gaming lounge also boasts one of the best in cocktails and entertainment and is open at 11:30 a.m. each day and closes at 3:00 a.m. the following morning. Rooms start at US$229 per night.