10 Top-Rated Live Gambling Sites in Jamaica

Jamaica may be a small country with a population of just below three million, but its love for live dealer games is enormous. Previously part of the UK, Jamaica legalized gambling as early as 1965, following independence three years earlier. This is no surprise given that most Caribbean nations (e.g., Antigua and Barbuda) also allow gambling. When it comes to online gambling, the activity has been legal in the country since 2014 and is regulated by the Betting, Gaming, and Lotteries Commission. However, it is for non-residents rather than residents.

It is worth noting that the Caribbean was an online gambling hub in the early 90s. While Jamaica joined the bandwagon late, the country benefitted greatly from the already established popularity of internet casino gaming.

To find the best live casinos in Jamaica, players are advised to check the reputation of each casino available to them. Jamaica live casinos with a good reputation usually strive to keep their reputation. Of course, no casino operator would want to risk their hard-earned reputation. But how can players tell if a live casino site is reputable? Easy, players can read reviews. Another safer option is to trust CasinoRank, which screens dozens of Jamaican live casinos and lists them. CasinoRank's rating system is based on the following factors:

• Software provider- does the casino have first-class software?
• Supported payment methods
• Quality of the live casino studio
• Size of the game library
• Bonuses (cashback, VIP, etc.)

No other casino would understand the needs of Jamaican players than casinos based in their own country, even though the residents are not allowed to play at such casinos. For instance, live casino operators based in Jamaica would understand that the country inherited English from its colonial powers. As such, they would strive to employ native English speakers in their casino studios as croupiers for easy communication with players. Additionally, Jamaican-based live casinos may offer the following benefits:

• Bonuses tailored specifically to Jamaicans
• Allow Jamaicans to deposit, stake, and withdraw in the Jamaican dollar
• Allow the citizens to use their locally-acceptable banking methods

Popular Games at Live Jamaica Casinos

The accessibility of certain live casino games may vary from one country to another, with some countries prohibiting specific games outright. Fortunately, Jamaican players have no such issue to deal with since there are no games that have been explicitly banned in the country. With no persecution for those playing games like blackjack, baccarat, roulette, poker, and craps at offshore sites, the popularity of these games is at its all-time peak. Thousands of Jamaicans appreciate these games, with most of them being able to play on the go. Here is an expert overview of the first three games.

Roulette

Live roulette is the king of table games and has been the subject of many films and books (e.g., The Gambler and Dostoevsky's epic short story) for many years. Playing this game is simply about betting on the pocket where the ball will land and holding their breath, hoping the bet comes good. With cameras set at multiple angles, players can clearly see everything the live casino dealer does in real time. Most Jamaican casinos feature American and European roulette versions, but many also feature French roulette.

Blackjack

No table game in Jamaica beats live blackjack in popularity. Yes, it is a little more labor intensive than roulette, but its popularity makes it readily available. Players place their bets, the dealer deals cards, and players decide whether to Split, Double, Stand, Hit, or Surrender before the dealer completes the action. The game also comes in variations, including;

• Blackjack Party
• VIP Blackjack
• Diamond VIP Blackjack

As mentioned previously, Jamaica boasts a very developed gambling industry despite being such a small island country. Hence, it is no surprise that there are many safe and reliable ways for live casino players in the country to deposit and withdraw funds from their casino accounts. Every online live Jamaican casino puts a lot of effort into payment method diversity, trying to attract as many partners as possible. The available methods include credit/debit cards, prepaid options, e-wallets, and cryptocurrency.

Credit/Debit Cards

One of the most popular payment methods in Jamaica are credit/debit cards. They are safe and easy to use for deposits. Besides, almost all casino sites in the country support these cards. The most used cards include Visa, Mastercard, and Visa Electron.

Prepaid Options

Prepaid payment services are very popular not just in Jamaica but the Caribbean as a whole. Players in Jamaica can fund their prepaid accounts using a bank account or card and transfer the money to their casino accounts. These transactions are quick and secure, including BillExpress, Entropay, ClickAndBuy, and ecoPayz.

E-wallets

It is needless to say that e-wallets are one of the fastest and safest ways to fund a casino account in Jamaica. The most appreciated e-wallets in the country are Neteller, PayPal, Skrill, and WebMoney.

Cryptocurrency

Cryptos in live casinos, such as Bitcoin, BitcoinCash, Ethereum, and Litecoin, are the cheapest ways for Jamaican players to make deposits. They are also very secure, fast, and anonymous.

The Jamaican dollar is the official currency of Jamaica. And while the Bank of Jamaica is responsible for the circulation of this currency, the production of the coins and notes occurs in Britain. Most casinos accept the currency in the country, saving players from paying conversion fees before playing.

The primary law regulating both online and offline in Jamaica was enacted in 2012. It is known as the Casino Gaming Act. According to this law, the Betting, Gaming, and Lotteries Commission is responsible for issuing and revoking casino licenses.

Is Online Casino Gaming Legal in Jamaica?

While Jamaica has gambling legislation that allows playing casino games and issuance of a license to willing operators, there is one important thing that must not be forgotten: only foreign passport holders are allowed to visit and use gambling establishments in the country. The same applies to licensed internet casinos- only foreign players are allowed to log in and play.

The locals are prohibited from participating in any online casino activities. Nevertheless, the Jamaican gambling law does not provide punishment for citizens who play casino games online. While local land-based and online casinos do not accept Jamaican players, nothing prevents the players from using offshore casino platforms.

The Functions of the Gaming Commission

As stated in the Casino Gaming Act, the functions of this regulatory body include the following:

• Regulating and controlling the entire gambling industry in Jamaica
• Investigating casino operations
• Approving the control, administrative, and accounting procedure systems
• Instituting measures and controls to ensure safe and responsible gambling
• Reviewing casino license applications and issuing licenses to qualified operations.

Licensing and Taxation

There are four types of gaming licenses issued in Jamaica. These include the Casino Operator Gaming, Casino Equipment Employee, Casino Equipment Vendor, and Employee licenses. The license is valid for a period of five years, after which the operator can apply for renewal. According to the law, the gross gaming revenue is taxed at 10%.