Jamaica Rose Hall Casino Strip Forthcoming With Montego Bay Resort Developments
Posted on: June 30, 2025, 10:23h.
Last updated on: June 30, 2025, 10:53h.
- Jamaica continues to attract resort development
- Jamaica’s version of the Las Vegas Strip is under development in Montego Bay
- Montego Bay’s Rose Hall corridor is a popular tourist destination
Jamaica is shoving all-in on casino gambling to further attract leisure travelers and business convention organizers to the Caribbean island nation.
Legal forms of gambling in Jamaica date back to 1965 when the country passed its Betting, Gaming, and Lotteries Act. Casino regulations came into effect in 2010 with the Casino Gaming Act.
The liberalization of slot machines and table games has greatly aided Jamaica’s tourism industry, a sector that is among its economy’s most critical components. Numerous resorts have gaming areas, but Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett says Jamaica is ready to become a bigger player in the global gaming market.
Speaking at the 64th Annual General Meeting of the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association, Bartlett said more than 6,000 new casino hotel rooms are in the works for Montego Bay, specifically, the Rose Hall corridor. Moon Palace Resorts and Hard Rock International are among the resort developers.
It’s unlike anything Jamaica has seen,” Bartlett said of the Moon Palace and Hard Rock developments, as first reported by the Jamaica Gleaner. “This area will become Jamaica’s casino zone, without question.”
The Moon Palace and Hard Rock destinations are part of Jamaica’s broader push to become a premier destination for luxury retreats and vacations. The country is providing incentives for developers, as the resorts create thousands of sustainable new jobs and tax revenue.
Jamaica Casino Strip
Widely considered Jamaica’s most popular tourist city, Montego Bay is home to a cruise line terminal and many resorts, both west and east of the downtown area. The Rose Hall corridor is located about seven air miles east of the city center.
The Rose Hall Great House, a Jamaican Georgian-style estate overlooking Jamaica’s northern coast, is among the country’s most famous plantation great houses. The home was saved and refurbished in 1977, and is today a popular tourist attraction.
Rose Hall is surrounded by many four- and five-star resorts, including Hyatt Zilara, Hyatt Ziva, Dreams, Iberostar, Half Moon, Jewel Grand, Sandals, and Riu Palace. Hard Rock Hotel & Casino will bring another 1,000 hotel rooms to the Rose Hall corridor.
Construction on Hard Rock broke ground in April 2023 for the all-inclusive resort that will include a “full-scale casino,” per the Jamaica Casino Gaming Commission. At 1,000 rooms, Hard Rock will be Montego Bay’s second-largest hotel.
Hard Rock officials say a subsequent expansion could double the number of rooms at the property in the coming years. Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Montego Bay is slated to open by the end of next year.
Montego Bay’s largest hotel, Moon Palace, is slated to open this fall with approximately 1,350 guestrooms. Moon Palace Resorts’ second development in Jamaica, its Rose Hall property, complements its Moon Palace Jamaica Grand in Ocho Rios.
Casino Regulations
In Jamaica, casino licenses cost $300K upfront and are renewed annually at $250K. Gross gaming revenue, or the amount won by the casino, is subject to a 10% government tax, regardless of the game.
The Casino Gaming Commission requires gaming licensees to encourage responsible play by providing gamblers with information regarding problem gambling, how casino games work, and keeping ATMs clear of the gaming floor.
No comments yet