Antigua and Barbuda, in the Leeward Islands of the West Indies, constitute an island nation that was formerly under the control of Great Britain. The government allows casino gambling, bingo halls, horse-race betting, a lottery, offtrack betting, and sports betting on the Internet. There are five casinos in the capital city of St. John’s and one in the city of Deep Bay. The minister of finance licenses all the casinos. A license may be given to any person who owns a hotel that markets rooms to tourists.
The Antiguan government encourages casino development and is willing to offer new licenses to those wishing to start casinos. Larger hotels pay an annual licensing fee of $300,000; smaller hotels pay $100,000. Additionally they pay a tax of 15 percent of their gaming revenue. Although local residents may come to the casinos, the casinos are prohibited from advertising gaming to the local public.
In 1985, one of the largest properties, the Halcyon Cove, instituted a small gambling junket program in which tourists fly in from cities in the United States on inclusive tours. Because checking credit players incurs an element of risk, the Halcyon Cove does not subscribe to a credit check service based in the United States (unlike other junket destinations in the Caribbean). Therefore, to ensure against potential problems, the hotel has received written guarantees from junket organizers, who cover debts owed by the players they bring to the casino.
In operating the casinos on Antigua, the gaming management must realize that vacationers do not travel to the island in order to gamble. They come to relax, rest, and enjoy the weather and scenery. Gambling is only one amenity to fulfill the entertainment needs of the guests. It is not a major profit center for the management or government.
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