Antigua and Barbuda Government Bans Creation of New Casino Sites

The government of Antigua and Barbuda has decided to prohibit creating new casino sites in the country.

Chief of Staff in the Office of the Prime Minister Lionel Max Hurst, made this announcement during the weekly Cabinet press conference.

Hurst, speaking on behalf of the government, stated that individuals or companies with casino licenses have been opening multiple casinos, often in close proximity to bus stations or other areas frequented by people.

“We have observed a significant increase in the placement of these slot machines, commonly referred to as one-armed bandits, at strategic locations across the city,” he said
According to Hurst, it seems that once a person obtains a casino license, there are no restrictions on the number of casinos they can run.

The proposed modifications seek to specify that each application will be for a single location, which must be clearly stated on the application.

Hurst stressed that many of these casino locations have proven to be alluring for individuals, who often end up losing their weekly wages in the hope of hitting the jackpot.