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.

Negril

Situated in western Jamaica, Negril is a hotbed of tourist activities. The town boasts myriad fun-filled adventures which happen on and off the beaches. One such adventure that happens off the beach is casino gambling and in Negril it gets no better.

Located inside the adult-only, notorious party spot Hedonism II is a casino that houses 20 slot machines. Fully decorated with Caribbean flair and decked out with a bar that serves nothing but the tastiest alcoholic beverages, the 280 room hotel offers the gambler an experience like no other. Rooms start at US$136 per night.

Grand Lido Resort and Spa in Negril is yet another resort that offers a delight to the gambling crowd. Boasting a slew of exciting slot machines and nightly entertainment, the resort comes complete with a bar, many restaurants and 210 rooms that guests can retire to once they have had enough fun. Rooms start at US$349 per night.

Ocho Rios

Moving to the northern coast of the island is Ocho Rios, a place where any kind of jet setter is guaranteed to have a great time, for a starting price of US$175 per night. Just like Negril, Ocho Rios is home to another clothing optional, party centre that just offers a little gambling to boot. Opened after the success of Hedonism II, Hedonism III houses 20 slot machines and a great opportunity for constant entertainment for the uninhibited adventurer. Just like Vegas, what happens at a Hedonism resort stays there and that’s a promise.

Also in Ocho Rios is The Treasure Hunt, which is home to slot machines, bingo, poker and video poker. In total there are 120 gaming machines, so no matter what kind of game you feel most comfortable playing, you are sure to find it at Treasure Hunt.

The Sunset Jamaica Grande Resort is home to 80 machines which include slots and electronic blackjack. Resting on 17 acres of well manicured lawns, The Sunset Jamaica Grande houses 730 rooms starting at US$557 for a minimum three night stay.

Montego Bay

In the tourist hotspot of Montego Bay lays The Coral Cliff Hotel. Situated on Jamaica’s famed Hip Strip, this Jamaican casino is open all day long. So you can hit anyone of the 120 slot machines housed on the property to your heart’s content.

And people do linger for hours on end at The Coral Cliff Hotel. With a tropical jungle décor that appeals to your desires and free drinks for all its guests, who could possibly tear themselves away from the chance to hit the jackpot, or stay at this treasure of a hotel in Jamaica. Rooms start at US$70 per night.

Inside The Holiday Inn Sunspree, an all inclusive resort is a small casino that houses about 50 slot machines. This cosy little spot tucked away in a 524 room resort is the perfect spot for beginners to enjoy a little spin on the slots. Rooms start at US$200 per night.

So the next time you visit Jamaica make sure to try your luck at one of the casinos, who knows, you might just hit the jackpot.