BGLC Takes Licensing Activities to Rural Towns

The Betting, Gaming and Lotteries Commission (BGLC) is making it easier for owners and operators of gaming machines and prescribed premises outside of Kingston to renew their licences, which will expire on March 31.

Director of Licensing and Registration at BGLC, Vivian Nunes, told JIS News that each year, the Commission seeks to reach out to customers outside the Kingston Metropolitan Area to provide them with an opportunity to conduct their licensing activities.

“What we do is set up shop at remote sites. This year, we have three locations –Mandeville, St. James and Negril, so that persons in those locales can make use of those opportunities for licensing,” he said.

Mr. Nunes noted that activities in Mandeville and St. James have already passed. However, persons in Westmoreland still have an opportunity to benefit as those sessions are scheduled for Monday, March 11 and Tuesday, March 12 at the Coco-La-Palm Hotel, beginning at 9:00 a.m.

Payments can be made by card, online via Bill Express or electronic bank transfer.

“We don’t accept cash on location,” Mr. Nunes said, noting that for the Bill Express payments, persons will be required to present receipts at the remote site.

Under Section 44 of the Betting, Gaming and Lotteries Act, operators of locally manufactured machines are required to pay to Tax Administration Jamaica (TAJ) a levy of $5,000, and to the BGLC $5,000 for licensing and disc fees for each machine.

Operators of prescribed premises are required to pay $2,500 for each premise to the TAJ and $1,000 for each to the BGLC.

“I implore persons to make use of the opportunity, and certainly, what we encourage is persons to license early so that we can issue the relevant licences in a prompt and efficient manner. This will ensure that when our other team members go out in the field, whether to conduct compliance or enforcement activities, they are not so affected,” said Mr. Nunes.

The Director of Licensing and Registration noted that there are penalties for payment of fees after April 1, including seizure of machines.

Late payment also attracts fines of up to 60 per cent of the regular fees per machine.

For more information, persons may visit the BGLC’s website at https://www.blgc.gov.jm, send an email to info@bglc.gov.jm, call 876-630-1353, WhatsApp 876-224-2452 or connect with them on Facebook, Instagram and X (formerly Twitter).

The BGLC is the statutory body that licenses, regulates and monitors the local gaming industry, facilitates its growth and development and protects the public from unfair, unscrupulous and illegal activities.