Cayman Islands May Permit Casino Operations on Cruise Ships

The Cayman Islands is considering a game-changing move to revitalise its tourism sector: allowing cruise ships to operate their casinos while docked in local waters. This initiative, proposed by Tourism Minister Kenneth Bryan, seeks to encourage extended stays and overnight berthing in George Town, driving more economic activity for local businesses. By opening onboard casinos to cruise passengers, the islands could attract high-spending tourists, increasing revenue without allowing local access to gambling. Discover how this potential shift could reshape the Cayman Islands’ tourism landscape, and what it means for both visitors and locals.

Cayman Islands Considers Allowing Casino Operations for Docked Cruise Ships to Boost Tourism

The Cayman Islands is exploring a bold new initiative to allow cruise ships to operate their onboard casinos while docked in Caymanian waters, aiming to increase overnight stays and boost local tourism. Currently, gambling onboard cruise ships is prohibited when they are within territorial waters, but Minister of Tourism and Ports Kenneth Bryan believes this change could provide a significant economic boost to George Town and other port areas.

This proposal is tied to a broader plan to develop a new cruise berthing pier, which will be put to a national referendum. If approved, the initiative would enable cruise ships to keep their casinos open during designated times while moored in Cayman waters, but with strict limitations to ensure that local residents are excluded from participating in onboard gambling activities.

Key Points of the Proposal

1. Economic Incentive for Extended Stays: The primary goal of this proposal is to encourage cruise ships to stay longer in the Cayman Islands, particularly for overnight stays. By allowing casinos to operate during these periods, the government hopes to incentivise cruise operators to consider longer docking times, which would in turn result in more visitors spending money at local businesses, restaurants, and attractions.
2. Cruise Passenger-Only Access: To maintain the Cayman Islands’ general prohibition on gambling for residents, the casino operations would be strictly limited to cruise passengers. Locals would not have access to these facilities, and security measures such as electronic cruise pass scanning and controlled port access would be implemented to ensure compliance.
3. Support for Local Businesses: The proposal has received cautious support from advocates like Ellio Solomon and the Association for the Advancement of Cruise Tourism. They recognise the potential for this change to revitalise George Town’s economy, which could benefit greatly from an increase in overnight visitors and higher spending.

Benefits of Casino Operations for Cruise Tourism

Minister Bryan has already engaged in discussions with cruise operators, and there is a growing belief that allowing casinos to operate in port could be a valuable incentive for cruise lines. By enabling passengers to enjoy onboard entertainment such as casinos, cruise lines may choose to schedule more extended stops in the Cayman Islands. This, in turn, would provide a greater economic benefit to the region, particularly in George Town, which could see a resurgence of activity from the additional influx of visitors.

The development of a new cruise berth would further support this initiative, offering improved docking facilities for larger cruise ships and increasing the overall capacity of the island to handle more extended stays.

The proposal to allow casino operations on docked cruise ships represents a strategic effort by the Cayman Islands to attract more tourism revenue while maintaining its prohibition on local gambling. By focusing the offer solely on cruise passengers, the government aims to strike a balance between boosting the economy and preserving local values. If the referendum on the new cruise berth passes, the Cayman Islands could see significant growth in cruise tourism, revitalising George Town and enhancing the overall visitor experience.