Church alliance urges caution as casino regulations advance
Published:Monday | February 16, 2026 | 12:07 AMJanet Silvera/Gleaner Writer
WESTERN BUREAU:
A coalition of church leaders is urging lawmakers to proceed cautiously as Parliament advances the Casino Gaming (General) Regulations, 2025, warning that Jamaica must be fully prepared to manage the potential social risks of expanded casino operations.
The Watchman Church Leaders Alliance (WCLA) said it has been monitoring the parliamentary discussions surrounding the regulations tied to integrated resort developments (IRDs), which the Government has positioned as catalysts for tourism expansion and foreign investment.
While acknowledging the potential for economic growth, the alliance said greater clarity is needed on safeguards to address problem gambling, addiction treatment capacity, and protections for vulnerable communities.
“What protective measures will be in place to address problem gambling?” the group asked in a press release issued on February 13, questioning whether public health systems, counselling services and regulatory bodies are adequately prepared should addiction rates increase.
The WCLA stated that gambling, as an industry, cannot receive pastoral endorsement, citing long-standing moral concerns within the Church community. However, it also acknowledged that if casino gaming is to proceed, responsible planning must be prioritised.
The alliance called for addiction treatment frameworks, public education campaigns and enforcement mechanisms to be firmly established before full-scale casino operations begin.
Government officials have maintained that the regulatory framework includes strict oversight and responsible gaming requirements.
In recent parliamentary debate, Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness emphasised that casino gaming in Jamaica is structured within the IRD model, meaning casinos will form part of large-scale tourism complexes rather than operate as stand-alone facilities.
Holness said the regulations, which operationalise the long-standing Casino Gaming Act, are designed to ensure proper licensing, monitoring and compliance, and are tailored to Jamaica’s specific circumstances.
The Casino Gaming Commission, established to oversee casino activity, is tasked with enforcing regulatory standards and ensuring operators adhere to strict internal controls, including measures to prevent underage gambling.
Casino gaming has been the subject of national debate for more than a decade, with Parliament previously considering amendments to facilitate large-scale resort investments while balancing social concerns.
The latest regulations represent another step in operationalising that framework.
For the WCLA, however, the central question remains whether Jamaica is sufficiently prepared for the long-term consequences.
“The question before us is not simply whether casinos can generate revenue, but whether we are fully prepared to manage their long-term risk,” the alliance stated.
The WCLA is a collaborative, diverse group of roughly 40 senior church leaders in Jamaica focused on moral advocacy, national accountability, and strengthening family values.
As debate continues, the issue underscores a broader national conversation about how Jamaica balances economic opportunity with social responsibility.