Casinos in Saint Vincent and The Grenadines

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Blessed with beautiful beaches and breathtaking seascapes, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines once was home to luxurious land-based casinos owned by worldwide famous personalities. Gambling is still legal in this enchanting Caribbean country but no brick-and-mortar venue operates at the moment.

Why? Well, the story of casinos on the territory of this former British colony is pretty captivating and, definitely, not less exciting than the islands themselves. The fact that a new Vegas-style entertainment center filled with green bean-shaped tables and slot machines can pop up any minute makes things even more stirring.

There is little doubt that one day Saint Vincent, Canouan, or perhaps another island that belongs to the archipelago will again become an attractive destination for gamblers. But no one knows when exactly it will happen. Without further ado, let’s dive into the complex yet interesting topic and find out everything about land-based casinos in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.

A Bit of History

Gambling in general and casinos specifically have been legal in the country since 1968, the year when the nation became a member of the Caribbean Free Trade Area, so two major milestones at a time.

A year later, this country was officially a state in association with the United Kingdom, which took full control of the islands in the 18th century, following two short wars and the British conquest of the Caribbean. To avoid delving too deep into the history of the nation, let’s just mention that Saint Vincent received its independence in 1979.

At that time, every island had to seek independence individually, so other islands quickly followed suit. The entity officially became Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and joined the Commonwealth. Interestingly, the first casino was opened in the country in 1977, two years before the date when it became a sovereign state. But British people have always been known for their keen interest in gambling, which, among other things, made them bring their favorite games along wherever they went during the colonization period.

Land-Based Casinos

Speaking of modern times and specifically the beginning of the 21st century, it is important to highlight the fact that not so long ago, casinos were one of the country’s main attractions together with awe-inspiring natural beauty, exciting water activities, and amazing food.

The early 2000s saw deep-pocket tourists flocking to Saint Vincent and the Grenadines in search of luxury holidays that apart from visits to tropical gardens, bird-watching, hiking to the top of La Soufriere volcano, and playing golf also included a poker game or a couple of slot spins.

Canouan, a mesmerizing Caribbean island with one of the longest barrier reefs and awe-inspiring turquoise waters, was once home to Trump Club Privee Casino – an epitome of a hogg-of-the-style lifestyle. Guests, of course, arrived with private jets, were greeted with “Welcome to Trump Island”, and accommodated in fashionable villas.

As for the casino, it was built and designed in the best traditions of Las Vegas. The floor had 10 gaming tables and 30 slot machines, which was perfect enough to provide the ultimate player experience to gamblers of all styles. Unfortunately, today, nothing reminds of the splendid resort as it was bulldozered after the whole project and Trump Casino went bust, mainly due to the lack of infrastructure. For a while, before being razed to the ground, the complex served as a hurricane shelter.

Another prominent gambling venue was located in Saint Vincent, in the heart of the capital city Kingstown. Emerald Valley Resort and Casino was equipped with 8 gaming tables and more than four dozen sleek cabinets, making sure that guests from faraway destinations have a great time. This establishment suffered the same fate, ceasing its operations due to a weak return on investment and low profitability.

Big Point Casino is the third and final place that has ever existed in this small Caribbean country. Even though it was located in luxurious Canouan, its history was pretty short and unremarkable, so Big Point never came into the spotlight. As a result, little is known about its amenities and games, however, one thing is for sure – this brick-and-mortar venue was low roller-friendly as even today you can find on eBay an original 50c chip from Big Point Casino.

Gambling Laws

In 1968, the year when Saint Vincent and the Grenadines joined the Caribbean Free Trade Area, gambling was officially recognized as a legal activity. The country’s “Gambling, Lotteries and Betting Act” is the first and only document that makes up the legislation base, defining the licensing process of land-based casinos and regulating their operations.

In case you are wondering, this piece of legislation has no mention of online gambling, which is self-explanatory given the period the Act entered into force and the fact that it has never been amended or supplemented with a new article. For the sake of objectivity, it is worth saying that during the last decade of the 20th century, several gaming websites operated with licenses issued by the local authorities. All of them, however, ceased to function pretty quickly and in the new millennium, there have not been any successful attempts to launch an online casino or sportsbook.

Until Better Times

While waiting for the Renaissance of brick-and-mortar casinos in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, tourists who visit this amazing Caribbean country can take advantage of distant gambling provided by websites licensed in other jurisdictions.

The same is true for locals who are literally spoiled for choice, having direct access to hundreds of top-rated online casinos that offer thousands of games from the industry’s leading software providers. While no one argues that plunging into the authentic atmosphere of a land-based venue is an unrivaled experience, gambling online has its charms and advantages.

Even the biggest physical casino cannot brag of such a huge and diverse selection of slots, players can find in its internet counterpart. Not to mention the range of table games – no floor can accommodate such a great number of roulette, blackjack, and poker tables available at websites that provide live dealer entertainment.