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Casinos, Betting Services warned against unlicensed operations in VI

Casinos and betting operations in the Virgin Islands (Vi) are being warned against unlicensed operations in the Virgin Islands pursuant to the Virgin Islands Gaming and Betting Control Act, 2020 (“VI Gaming Act”) along with the Proceeds of Criminal Conduct Act, 1997, as amended (“POCCA”) and Anti-Money Laundering Regulations 2008, as amended (“AML Regulations”). Photo: Internet Source
According to the Speech from the Throne delivered on January 18, 2022, the Government has projected some $5.7M in estimated gaming revenues for 2022. Photo: VINO/File
According to the Speech from the Throne delivered on January 18, 2022, the Government has projected some $5.7M in estimated gaming revenues for 2022. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI– Casinos and betting operators are being warned against unlicensed operations in the Virgin Islands (VI) pursuant to the Virgin Islands Gaming and Betting Control Act, 2020 (“VI Gaming Act”), along with the Proceeds of Criminal Conduct Act, 1997, as amended, and the Anti-Money Laundering Regulations 2008, as amended.

A notice today, September 14, 2022, from the Premier’s Office, indicated that any person operating any casino, gaming and/or betting operations within the Virgin Islands should take note of the laws.

It added that pursuant to section 29 of the Virgin Islands Gaming and Betting Control Act, 2020, a person shall not participate in any aspect of the gaming and betting sectors without first acquiring the necessary licence from the Gaming and Betting Control Commission (“Commission”).

The Gaming and Betting Control Commission is yet to be established.

Unlicenced operations an offence 

“Based on the VI Gaming Act, any person undertaking gaming and/or betting operations or providing facilities of any kind for betting or gaming without a licence commits an offence,” the notice reminded.

Earlier in the year, the Government of the Virgin Islands indicated that in 2022, The Gaming and Betting Control Act, 2020, will be implemented to provide for the establishment of the Gaming and Betting Control Commission to regulate the Gaming and Betting Sectors in the VI.

According to the Speech from the Throne delivered on January 18, 2022, the Government has projected some $5.7M in estimated gaming revenues for 2022.

16 Responses to “Casinos, Betting Services warned against unlicensed operations in VI”

  • josiah'sbay (14/09/2022, 19:16) Like (3) Dislike (13) Reply
    If the Governor can't give a justifiable reason for not assenting the Gambling Act he should be held accountable for the projected revenue lost earning.
    • Perfect example (14/09/2022, 20:18) Like (14) Dislike (3) Reply
      You my friend are the perfect example of the ineptness that exists here. The gambling act passed years ago and there still isn’t even a commission established to oversee it, WOW! I’ll bet the rules that are established are some cut and paste suggestions that benefit the rich few that read between the lines. No commission no plan no chance. If anyone should be paying back what could have been being earned it would be the set of jokers who thought gambling in the BVI would be a sustainable business.
      • josiah'sbay (14/09/2022, 20:29) Like (6) Dislike (2) Reply
        Despite your willingness to make a personal attack and not opine on my opinion nothing should happen before the bill is assented. I hope my ineptness makes you feel that much smarter.






















  • The watchdog (14/09/2022, 19:20) Like (1) Dislike (4) Reply
    So betito got wet
  • Frett not (14/09/2022, 19:23) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    Betito. I want the strip club flotilla casino pick me up trellis bay
  • Local (14/09/2022, 21:04) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
    This Government and the previous Government has shown that they are a waste of time just good for passing bills but follow through on implementing 2023 hurry come people trying to create business and the shooting down on the ground Fahie was waste Wheatley is a joke Mark said it right the first time a bunch off clowns.
  • facts (14/09/2022, 22:11) Like (1) Dislike (6) Reply
    We need our independence the governor is blogging our economic progress
  • Really (14/09/2022, 22:23) Like (1) Dislike (2) Reply
    People wake up. You are giving your hard earned money to the devil. You think you are going to win the jack pot, how much money do you lose before you will 500.00 hundred dollars. I am sure thousands of dollars. Its a ponsi scheme. If your smart you would know that all machines in the devil system is programmed by the elites and they want you dead broke, stressed out with nothing if they didn't money wouldn't exist. Why is this government so dumb
    All politicians needs to stand up because if you took that MRNA vaccvaccine then look up the government documents signed in 2016 of Anyone who took a MRNA experimental vaccine no long has human rights so they shouldn't be in power.
  • Jerry Teeler (15/09/2022, 02:45) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Well hell yeah! A casino in paradise! I’ll be watching that closely. See y’all soon!
  • … (15/09/2022, 05:22) Like (1) Dislike (3) Reply
    Man advertising a whole casino n TT club like it legal
  • ... (15/09/2022, 06:33) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
    then shut the the whole BVI cause politicians and all I see buying numbers...people got to eat
  • Focus on solutions.. (15/09/2022, 07:40) Like (15) Dislike (4) Reply
    Pass the gaming act that is long over due..Let the people B. .I'm telling you if Andrew was here the gaming act and the marijuana medicine act would already been past. Andrew get things done, straight up. Like him or hate him. Truth will always win.
  • Bahamas (15/09/2022, 10:36) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Casinos are set up to be the winners. In the Bahamas residents are NOT allowed to gamble. Only the tourists & visitors can gamble. This is to save the residents from losing their money to the casino owners. Why on earth are we thinking about allowing gambling here?????
  • musa (15/09/2022, 16:27) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    No the any form of gambling
  • BVI Observer (19/09/2022, 18:56) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    The government should have set up the commission to coincide with the passing of the law.

    They should not lead people on and approve the law and gazette it and when people go out there and make serious investments with the expectation that they would get a license you refuse to complete the process. This is wrong and illegal.

    Frett has no problem his boat is on the water and the x premier specially changed the laws so that cruise ships can gamble in port to enable their guests to enjoy the island night life.

    The commission is to regulate gambling on land to protect against money laundering and terrorist financing.

    Can anyone tell me how the commission is going to regulate a casino on a cruise ship. The only thing the commission can do is to licence the ship and try to charge a fee which will be resisted by the cruise industry.

    Furthermore, the tourism minister can negotiate with the ship the same way he negotiated with the head tax. You do not need a commission to do that.

    The law is clear gambling is legal in the BVI and Frett can Gamble in his ship even if he goes outside of territorial waters and return so do not worry about him but the Government is creating criminals by leading law abiding citizens on with their inaction.

    I trust that they will clear the air and allow the cruise ships to operate so they can plan their itinerary so we can get some money in the restaurant s, bars strip clubs etc.

    By the way I heard Frett boat is much more than a casino it has a total entertainment center aboard. Frett please launch soon the whole BVI is waiting to go on that lovely mega yacht. I have never been on one in my life and I am sure 99.9 percent of BVIslanders never been on one either.


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