Gaming Licences Renewal Extended To May 31

The Betting, Gaming and Lotteries Commission (BGLC) has extended the deadline for gaming operators to renew their licences to May 31, 2020.

Manager for Corporate Affairs and Communications at the BGLC, Jeanette Lewis, told JIS News that although all licences expire on March 31, due to the challenges posed by the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, the entity has decided to give operators more time for renewal.

She noted that as the regulatory body for Jamaica’s gaming industry, the BGLC issues licences to any entity or individual who wants to offer a gambling service to the public.

She said that usually, the BGLC teams would be at the Tax Administration Jamaica (TAJ) offices facilitating the collection of fees. However, due to government restrictions to contain the spread of COVID-19, the face-to-face processing of applications has ceased.

Instead, remote processing of applications for licence renewal and new licences is being facilitated. Persons are being requested to submit their applications via email at info@bglc.gov.jm.

Those unable to make electronic submissions can drop off the applications at the BGLC offices, where the team will receive the document and contact the licensee via telephone for any further information.

Licensing applications can be downloaded from the BGLC’s website at www.bglc.gov.jm. Various forms are available depending on the category of licence being sought.

Upon completion of the form, applicants will be required to pay two fees – one to the BGLC and the other to TAJ.

The BGLC fees must be paid by making a deposit to account number 50575-000077313 at Scotiabank.

For further information, persons may contact the BGLC at 876-630-1353; email at info.bglc.gov.jm; visit the entity’s website at www.bglc.gov.jm; or its social media pages on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter.