Is Gambling Legal In The Bahamas?
The Bahamas is a separate state located in the Atlantic Ocean. It attracts tourists with its luxurious scenery, sandy beaches, and the possibility of betting in casinos. But how legal and safe is gambling in the Bahamas? For more information, see below.
History of the Development of the Gambling Industry in the Bahamas
Casinos in the Bahamas appeared back in 1969. At that time, their activities were legal for tourists, which increased the demand for the destination among vacationers. However, residents of the Bahamas could not visit gambling establishments due to the laws passed.
Despite bans related to gambling activities, locals were betting on sports in bars and cafes. The organizers acted illegally but the police ignored the violation of the law. This was the impetus for the spread of betting shops, which operated under the guise of catering establishments.
In 2013, the need to legalize casinos for residents of the country was raised at the government level. The possibility of establishing a national lottery was also considered.
Such an approach could have had a positive effect on the state budget. In addition, there would be more jobs for the population. Despite the obvious advantages, most locals voted against legalization. It is still forbidden for them to enter a casino.
There were attempts to introduce another bill in 2018. It was planned to raise tax rates on income from gambling activities for online casinos. Furthermore, gamblers would have to pay additional interest on the remuneration received.
It was planned to use the collected sums for the reconstruction of the region after natural disasters. But the initiative caused a negative reaction from gamblers and casino operators.
Popular Gambling Establishments in the Bahamas
Is gambling legal in the Bahamas? You got the answer to this question above. Now let’s look at popular places where you can have a great time. If you are interested in Bahamas casino sites to play online, there are quite a lot of them. When choosing, be guided by the presence of a license, the amount and type of entertainment, and the processing time of financial transactions.
As for the land-based establishments, the largest casinos are concentrated on three islands. They annually attract the attention of hundreds of thousands of tourists. If you do not know what islands in the Bahamas allow online gambling, then do not hesitate to go to the following regions:
- Nassau. This is the luxurious capital of the state (Paradise Island);
- Freeport. The city is well-known for free trade (Grand Bahama Island);
- Bimini. It is a cluster of several islands, the central part of which is North and South Bimini.
Here you will find excellent casinos located independently or in tourist complexes. Lots of games, excellent service, and an unforgettable atmosphere are the basis that attracts the attention of visitors. The most popular gambling establishments are listed in the table below.
| Casino Name | Description |
| Cove at Atlantis | It is a part of the Atlantis tourist complex located on Paradise Island. Visitors must follow the dress code: cocktail or evening dresses for women, and formal suits for men. The casino offers more than 750 slot machines, 75 card tables, and several varieties of roulette |
| Breezes Bahamas Resort | This gambling establishment is located on the grounds of the hotel on Paradise Island. The casino is not very big but it’s cozy enough. Here you can choose slot machines (about 60 types) or card entertainment |
| The Baha Mar Casino and Hotel | The complex is located in Nassau. The advantage is that the casino welcomes players around the clock. A huge amount of entertainment is available here: 1,500 slots, 150 card tables, and popular varieties of roulette |
| Resorts World Bimini Casino | The establishment is located in the area of Alice Town (North Bimini). Guests of the complex are offered slot machines, roulette, and cards |
| Treasure Bay Casino at Our Lucaya | It is located in the city of Freeport. It is open 24 hours a day. Visitors can test their luck by choosing slot machines (195 variants) or card tables |
| Memories Resort & Casino | The establishment is situated in Freeport. It can be visited at any time. It offers card games, slots, and roulette. |
| Casino Crystal Palace | This gambling establishment is located in Nassau. It attracts attention with its incomparable architectural solution. Here you can play slots or cards, enjoy delicious food and combine your entertainment with strong drinks. |
Each gambling establishment is interesting in its own way. One casino offers a lot of entertainment, the second attracts attention by its small size and absence of unnecessary noise, and the third is located on the territory of the hotel and enables the guests to spend their free time very well. It is quite easy to make a choice if you decide to plunge into the world of gambling.
Online Casinos in the Bahamas and Their Special Features
In addition to land-based establishments, online casinos are common in the Bahamas. However, they have a slightly different name – online stores.
The latter are popular among the locals, as there are no legal prohibitions on visiting them. However, playing in online stores is risky due to the lack of control of activities by the state authorities.
If you decide to play in an online casino, it is better to choose offshore establishments. They are licensed in the relevant jurisdictions, and therefore reliable and safe. As a rule, permits are issued by the authorities of
- Curacao;
- Malta;
- UK;
- Cyprus;
- Isle of Man;
- Gibraltar.
Before registering on the website, it is highly recommended to consider the permitted gambling age in the Bahamas. Otherwise, there will definitely be problems when completing the verification procedure. More details about age limits can be found on the following page: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gambling_age. Here you can explore information about who is allowed to visit casinos in different parts of the world.
