Caretaker Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunication Stuart Johnson confirmed a licence had been approved last January for a casino in the former Super Plaza building on Back Street, despite its proximity to “sensitive” entities like Sundial School and the hurricane-damaged Philipsburg Jubilee Library (see Thursday paper). He argued that other gambling houses currently operate under similar circumstances, which is certainly true for Jump Up Casino and Diamond Casino in the same general area.
However, his assertion that the library won’t be returning to its old spot is not necessarily correct. After all, there are plans to construct a new complex there together with St. Maarten Archaeological Center SIMARC and the St. Maarten Heritage Centre.
In this case it regards the relocation of an existing casino, despite the mention of creating 50 jobs. Issuing an entirely new permit wouldn’t be possible either, because of a moratorium placed on standalone casinos years ago to discourage excessive gambling among locals for obvious reasons.
Only licences for casinos in visitor accommodations can be given out, although the conditions for such have not always been met. When the standalone operator at Caravanserai moved, government found itself granting a resort casino permit based on a – never completed – expansion project to reach the required number of rooms.
In 2014 then-TEATT minister Ted Richardson adapted the policy to allow two licences each for the harbour and airport. These would be established on vessels and in the departure/transit halls respectively, making them accessible only to cruise passengers and air travellers.
Those plans never materialised; among other reasons, out of concern for the destination’s image this would portray. The ceiling on regular standalone casinos was also maintained.
More importantly, the long-announced Gaming Control Board (GCB) to supervise the sector is still not functioning. It was called a priority by several successive governments, but until now that has proven to be mostly lip service.
