The Caribbean is a fantastic place for a holiday, and for the gamblers among us it also offers a wide range of casinos spread across many islands. So if your vacation plans include a bit of gambling then our guides will show you which are the islands that you’re going to want to head to.
As well as providing a general overview to which islands to consider visiting, we’ve also written specific guides for each country detailing what you can find and where.
Note: On this site we’re only talking about physical land based casinos that exist on the various Caribbean islands. There are many cruises in the area that also contain casinos on board the ship, but those are not included in our lists.
Caribbean Islands With Casinos
Islands Without Casinos
Caribbean Coastline
Being an island focused site we do not cover any casinos on the mainland, even those that exist in close proximity to the Caribbean sea.
The Island Casinos
Antigua and Barbuda
There aren't a huge amount of casinos to be found in Antigua and Barbuda and the ones that are there are perhaps better described as slot venues rather than outright casinos. That being said, there is enough promise on the islands to mean that Hard Rock Café will have a brand presence there in the coming years.
It's perhaps not the best destination in the Caribbean to head to if you're going there especially to enjoy some casino action. What it is, though, is a place to go if you want to enjoy the beauty of the area and do a little bit of betting in your downtime.
Aruba
The first casino was built in Aruba in 1959, which gives you an indication of how long the island has had an association with the industry for. Casinos have to be part of hotel complexes in order to gain a licence, so many of the world's biggest hotel companies have entered the casino industry as a result. At the time of writing, the most recent venues opened in 2015.Bahamas
The Bahamas legalised gambling in 1969. Despite both this and the fact that it is actually a collection of around seven hundred islands taking up around five thousand square miles, there aren't that many actual casinos of note in this part of the Caribbean. There are a few small venues that have electronic gaming machines, but only three casinos worthy of the title.
Barbados
Barbados isn’t an island to head to if you’re specifically after the hustle and bustle of casinos that offer roulette and blackjack, but if you just like to have a little flutter whilst you’re waiting for a bite to eat then it’s absolutely perfect.
It is an island that keeps gambling limited to horse racing, lotteries and slot machines, with the latter usually taking up residence in hotels and restaurants. There are numerous arcades on Barbados, which are an interesting mix of slot machines and games aimed at younger people.
Curaçao
All forms of gambling are legal in Curaçao, making the island one of the most popular for casino companies in all of the Caribbean. It is something of a gambling hub, with thirteen casinos at the time of writing. It was also one of the first Caribbean islands to legalise online gambling. Come for the amazing golden beaches, stay for the ample casino offerings.
Dominican Republic
There is little to nothing stopping casinos from operating and developing on the Dominican Republic, with no rules or laws in place ruling out any of the most popular games that you’ll find in casinos anywhere in the world.
That being said, the vast majority of the casinos on the island are located within hotels or in close proximity of one, with few purpose-built casinos on offer at the time of writing. All of that helps contribute to the flow of tourism throughout the country.
Guadeloupe
At the time of writing there are just two casinos on the archipelago of Guadeloupe. They're both based on the island of Grande-Terre and offer visitors both table games and slot machines. The slots are kept as up-to-date as possible, whilst the table games include the likes of roulette and blackjack at both of the casinos. Because Guadeloupe is a French territory, it follows French law when it comes to gambling. That means that physical casinos have much more relaxed laws applied to them than online gambling in the country as they are seen as less addictive. The gambling laws on the island have been in place since 1988.Haiti
Very few people are going to head to Haiti in order to indulge in casino gambling, with those that do so with that specific aim likely to be disappointed. The casino scene in the country essentially collapsed in the wake of the 2010 earthquake that hit the island, but there are still a few hotels that have casinos in them.
Port-au-Prince is where you'll want to head if you're particularly keen to have a flutter, given that its got two casinos within its borders. You're probably not going to be able to do much more than get involved in some slot play and on a few tables, though El Rancho Hotel & Casino does boast a poker room if that's your poison.
Jamaica
Arguably one of the most famous islands in the Caribbean, Jamaica has allowed casinos since 2012. At the time of writing no companies have actually built proper casinos on the island, however, so everything was limited to slot machine venues for the most part. That is likely to change in the future, though, with casinos getting the green light for building.
Martinique
Martinique isn't the biggest of Caribbean islands and that is reflected in the fact that there are only two casinos to speak of on offer there. They both open in the morning for people wishing to play on the slot machines, with table games starting up later in the evening. There is a dress code for both casinos, whilst the legal age to enter them is set at eighteen.
Martinique is not an island to head to if you're a casino junkie, but if you're looking for a beautiful Caribbean location that offers you the chance to have a bet or two whilst you're there then it could be ideal. The island also boasts a thoroughbred racing track called the Hippodrome de Carrère Lamentin, should you wish to have a flutter on the horses.
Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico is one of the most casino-rich islands in the Caribbean. Though it might be an American unincorporated territory, it has far more relaxed gambling laws than you'll find on the US mainland. With about twenty casinos to choose from, you'll be spoilt for choice when it comes to where you want to go to have a wager or two here.
Saint Kitts and Nevis
Two islands that are part of the Commonwealth, Saint Kitts and Nevis is only a small place but it has three casinos. In reality, it's more like two casinos and one slot venue, but you'll be able to play all of the usual casino games when on the islands. It has been possible to get a gambling licence since 1999, so it's still a relatively young industry here.
Saint Lucia
Despite having the ability to licence casinos since 1998 and with the law on the matter being relaxed in 2004, Saint Lucia only has one casino worthy of the name at the time of writing. It opened its doors in 2011, perhaps reflecting the manner in which the Caribbean island is slow to react to changing circumstances.
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Saint Vincent And The Grenadines is made up of several islands and boasts a population of around one hundred and ten thousand. Gambling is legal here, but the small nature of the locale means that not many companies have bothered to open up a casino. Consequently there are only two to speak of, but all of the usual games are on offer.
Sint Maarten
Saint Martin is an island split into two, with Sint Maarten being the section that is part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. There are a number of casinos here, despite the fact that it is the smaller half of the island. Gambling is legal for anyone over the age of eighteen, with dress codes in the casinos normally kept casual.
The main part of the island to head to if you want to casino hop is Philipsburg, given that it's the capital of Sint Maarten and where the majority of the casinos are located. The Casino Royale is the largest such venue, with the Princess Casino also being worth a visit. It's known as the little Las Vegas of Sint Maarten, which gives you an idea of what to expect.
Trinidad and Tobago
The best way of describing life in Trinidad and Tobago when it comes to gambling is 'unregulated'. There are plenty of different casinos around for you to choose from, with many of them ostensibly being referred to as 'members' clubs'. Whatever it is you like to have a flutter on, though, there'll be the option to do so at a casino regardless of which island you're on.
Turks and Caicos Islands
Casino gambling on the Turks and Caicos Islands is predominantly aimed at tourists, though locals that have an annual income of $75,000 or more can also take part. Despite that and the fact that the islands take up quite a large area of land, there's actually only one casino worth the title there. Head to Providenciales and you'll be able to visit the Casablanca Casino.
United States Virgin Islands
Casino gambling is legal on the United States Virgin Islands and has been regulated since 1995. Despite this, there is only one casino proper on the islands. There are a couple of resorts waiting to open and a number of smaller venues that are really more like electronic gaming suites, but only one actual casino worthy of the name to people who like table games and more.