BGLC to host Caribbean Gaming Summit

When franchise holders approached the Betting, Gaming and Lotteries Commission (BGLC) to host the seventh staging of the Caribbean Gaming Show and Summit, there was no hesitation in accepting the invitation to stage the two-day event, which will take place at the Montego Bay Convention Centre, St James, starting today.

The summit will address topical issues such as anti-money laundering, gaming, the future of gaming and lotteries, responsible gaming, and more.

Among the participants expected to attend are regional representatives of the gaming industry, business owners and operators of gambling establishments, suppliers to the gaming industry, and members of the hospitality industry.

"I would think that our concerns right now are readying the industry to deal with all of the requirements around anti-money laundering. Legislation is being updated to address the whole issue of online gaming, so we need to ensure that we all understand it. A lot of the BGLC team will either be present or will be recording the proceeding so we'll be able to use it as sort of training and development guide," explained Noel Bacquie, director of enforcement at the BGLC.

Calvin Wilson, executive director of the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force, will speak on the issue of anti-money laundering, which Jeannette Lewis, BGLC's manager of corporate affairs and communication, is anticipating, since it should address the diverse and far-reaching ways in which technology is transforming business. This topic is especially relevant for Jamaica, she opined.

"We are moving from a brick-and-mortar store now, to where gambling is now literally at your fingertips, practically 24 hours a day. You can gamble on your (smart) phone at will, so what are the issues surrounding that in terms of our consumers? What are the issues in terms of regulating in that kind of environment? How do you regulate cyber gambling? That sort of thing!" she told The Gleaner.

Minister of Finance and the Public Sector Audley Shaw is expected to deliver the keynote address at the opening ceremony.