Casinos in Aruba

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Introduction

Often called the Las Vegas of the Caribbean, Aruba is an attractive place to visit if you are an avid casino customer!

For this reason, as well as the fact that this small country boasts some of the most beautiful beaches and warm weather, Aruba has everything a state needs to make people’s stay the most enjoyable ever - excellent gambling and tourism.

We will explain the gambling history and current rules, legislation, and offers in Aruba so you can decide whether this country meets all the necessary criteria!

But first,

Here are some facts about this popular Caribbean country that measures only 20 miles long from east to west:

The government of Aruba depends on the revenue brought in by the estimated 1.5 million tourists that visit the country each year despite its small population.

Until 1986, Aruba was part of the Netherlands Antilles, a separate, self-governing country within the Netherlands. As a member of the ABC island group, along with Curacao and Bonaire, it accounts for around one-third of the Dutch Caribbean's population.

Aruba does not have administrative subdivisions; however, the island is divided into eight census regions, with Oranjestadas as its capital.

When it comes to gambling...

…Aruba has legalized both land-based and online gambling.

The Departamento di Asintonan di Casino (DAC), under the umbrella of the Ministry of Justice, acts as the regulatory body that controls gambling activities.

You can visit one of many brick-and-mortar casinos as long as you are 18 years of age or older. Make sure you bring your ID with you when going to the casino, as you may have to show it to gain entry.

The island boasts more than a dozen gambling houses today, some of which are located in large resorts in Palm Beach as well as in downtown Oranjestad.

Casino enthusiasts who are looking to experience all the excitement of gaming will be glad to know that these venues offer many slot machines that can usually be played in the morning, followed by table games - poker, blackjack, baccarat, roulette, and craps – that normally start in the afternoon or early evening.

Don't worry...

... several betting houses are open 24/7 as well!

History of Gambling

In the 20th century (when the first gaming venue opened), gambling in Aruba started to proliferate thanks to innovation and the introduction of new technologies that made it more enjoyable and accessible.

As a result, Aruba shows a perfect example of how a small island can become a giant in the casino industry.

The first casino on the island, Aruba Caribbean Casino, was opened by Jake Kozloff in 1959, paving the way for the rest.

Among several factors attracting visitors is the fact that this small island was among the first in the region to use electronic casino management systems, which largely simplified betting and payout procedures.

If we talk about the casinos' development...

...we cannot go on without mentioning the improvement of tourism infrastructure since these two go hand in hand.

Apart from opening more casino venues, the country also started opening more hotel ventures since no separate gambling venues were allowed. As a result, the state boasts numerous major resorts with their own casinos!

Legislation and Jurisdiction

As expected, all parties aspiring to acquire a license to operate a land-based casino in Aruba need to submit an application to the Departamento di Asintonan di Casino (DAC).

The application mentioned above has to meet several requirements, such as describing the casino operation in detail, providing information about all executives in the company and the Board of Commissioners, and providing information about affiliates, among many other things.

Moreover, the DAC has the right to request any other information. The extenuating circumstance is that no other certificates and authorizations, except the license issued by the Dac, apply in the field of gaming.

Once the DAC approves the application, a ministerial decree provides the license, which is non-transferable, personal, and lasts for five years.

There are only two limitations, though...

...operators must not target Dutch residents of the Netherlands, and the licenses for online gambling are not valid in the other countries within the Kingdom.

Popular Sports & Games

If you wonder what you can find in these casinos, the answer is everything an average casino has – various slot machines, table games such as blackjack, baccarat, roulette, and craps, as well as a popular Caribbean Stud Poker.

Speaking of the latter, the islands boast hosting many professional Caribbean Stud Poker tournaments. This game is especially popular, which comes as no surprise since it actually originated in Aruba in 1988.

These frequent international poker tournaments attract many professional players, as well as amateurs who love this game from around the globe!

Aside from traditional casino games, Aruba's casinos offer theme nights, sports books, daily bingo games, entertainment, and special offers.

Banking

While the official currency in Aruba is Florin, which is naturally accepted in all land-based casinos, US dollars are also widely accepted. Moreover, banks can exchange several other foreign currencies, including Euro.

Major credit cards are accepted at most institutions, while personal checks are commonly not accepted.

But there's more!

One of the newly popular methods gaining more acceptance is crypto. There are several cryptocurrency casinos in Aruba that accept Bitcoin.

To Wrap it Up

Not only does Aruba welcome both experienced and casual casino visitors, but it also offers a perfect combination of sunny weather, beautiful beaches, and excellent hospitality!

Whether you are into enjoying slot machines, rolling the dice, or spinning the roulette wheels, all of the dozen Aruba gambling venues will provide you with an exceptional playing experience, all controlled by the trusted regulated body - The Departamento di Asintonan di Casino (DAC).