Casinos in Saint Lucia

Previous known as both Iyonola and Hewanorra, Saint Lucia is an island spread over two hundred and thirty-eight square miles and offering a population of around one hundred and eighty-two thousand. During its more formative years, ownership of the island changed hands a number of times before become an independent state of the Commonwealth in 1979.

Saint Lucy of Syracuse was the inspiration behind the name of the island, making it one of only two countries in the world named after a woman. The island does not have an open-minded approach to sexuality, with LGBTQ+ people facing discrimination. Even so, the hot temperatures and gorgeous beaches make it a popular tourist destination.

The Casinos

Saint Lucia’s approach to gambling is interesting. A lack of legal framework means that online casinos cannot register with the Saint Lucian government. The same is not true of land-based casinos, however, which are legislated according to the National Lotteries and Gaming Act that was passed in 1998.

The legislation passed at the end of the 1990s was extremely restrictive, with resorts needing over two hundred rooms to apply for a casino licence. The Act was therefore updated in 2004 and casinos not attached to hotels could finally gain licences. Even so, the casino industry hasn’t exactly taken off in Saint Lucia, with only one open at the time of writing.