The Cayman Islands are considering slackening rules on casinos aboard cruise ships visiting its shores to try and bring more tourist money to their shores. Minister of Tourism and Ports Kenneth Bryan recently announced that Caymanian law should permit cruise lines to keep their onboard casinos open while in Caymanian waters. Currently, this practice is prohibited. The government expects this change to encourage cruise ships to extend their stay, ideally overnight, in George Town. This extension could create new opportunities for local economic growth. However, the decision depends on a future national referendum to approve the construction of a cruise berthing pier.
Longer Stays May Bring Economic Revitalization
Supporters of the initiative, including Bryan, believe extended stays would positively impact the George Town economy. More time in port means that tourists will be free to contribute to local businesses, uplifting their revenues and contributing to the area’s buzz. Indeed, preliminary consultations with the cruise operators have been positive, and most realize the model for the potential money it could bring in. This proposal would allow casinos to open during docking times, creating a new element for Cayman Islands tourism to develop and market.
Regulations on keeping it local
There are also some strict regulations on the proposed amendments. The new rules stipulated that the casino would operate only during certain hours, allowing visitors plenty of time to explore the island before returning to the onboard entertainment. This ensures that the operation of the casino will not eclipse what the island has to offer but instead complements it. More importantly, access to the casinos is only for passengers of the cruise lines; it is still forbidden for locals to gamble. This ban aligns with the decades-old ban on gambling in the territory, which it has always pursued to maintain the local values and traditions.
Security Measures and Local Support
Strong security measures are in place to enforce these bans. Tightened measures such as electronic scanning of cruise passes limit access at ports and provide passenger-only access to casino facilities. These precautions reflect the government’s commitment to maintaining an environment that is respectful of Caymanian laws and values. Its proponents, including the former legislator Ellio Solomon and the Association for the Advancement of Cruise Tourism, are also cautiously supporting the new cruise berth since this may considerably help the local economy. Allowing limited access to casinos on cruise ships shows that the Cayman Islands are taking steps to boost cruise tourism while preserving their cultural values.