Casinos in Antigua and Barbuda

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Introduction

The purpose of this review is to give you the most pertinent information about today's gambling scene in one of the Caribbean's most prosperous nations, Antigua and Barbuda.

Let's stroll down these two islands, and we'll reveal some of their most popular gaming spots, which could prove useful for your future explorations.

Before we do that…

…we would like to give you some information about this beautiful two-island country that lies at the conjuncture of the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean.

Thanks to the best temperate climates in the world, these islands boast a stunning number of 365 white and pink sand beaches that attract thousands of tourists from around the globe yearly!

For over 200 years, this independent Commonwealth state in the Eastern Caribbean was involved in sugar cane farming. After gaining independence from Britain in 1981, Antigua’s key industries became tourism and related service industries.

Around 97% of its population, about 100,000 people, is located in Antigua, while Barbuda island depends on it for imports of goods and resources.

Three years in recent history are important to mention – 2009, 2017, and 2022.

In 2009, the US authorities charged the country's biggest investor with massive fraud, which caused the country's economy to wobble. Eight years later, Hurricane Irma destroyed about 95% of Bermuda's buildings.

In 2022, the country's Prime Minister stated an intention to hold a referendum on whether Antigua and Barbuda should become a republic.

Apart from attractive beaches, fantastic vegetation, crystal clear waters, and excellent service, this island attracts numerous gambling business owners and avid casino players!

Both land based and online gambling are popular...

...the latter especially positions this country as a leading center because casino games are not restricted or limited by laws.

Furthermore, the government is taking steps to expand online gambling in the country. However, while the country's approach to creating a profitable gambling ecosystem is successful, it's also controversial since the jurisdiction has some longstanding legal disputes with the USA regarding online gambling issues and copyrights.

This is one reason this small island country is a significant offshore financial center and one of the leading destinations for tourists from the USA, especially.

History of Gambling

While Antigua and Barbuda has several land based casinos, the island is known as a strong advocate for online gambling, being one of the first countries to embrace it. In 1994, it started to issue two types of licenses to non-resident organizations: Interactive Gaming and Interactive Wagering Licenses.

This occurred after Antigua and Barbuda passed the Free Trade & Processing Act, which allowed licenses to be granted to operators applying to open online casinos.

These are overseen by the nation’s Financial Services Regulatory Commission (FSRC), and to obtain them, applicants must pay tens of thousands of dollars for both the setup fee and the annual renewal fee.

Regarding land based casinos...

...the luxurious casinos are exclusively located on Antigua island, mainly because the number of residents is the highest there.

It took only a year after these island states gained independence from British rule in 1981 for the country to become a popular jurisdiction in offshore banking, followed by the International Business Corporations Act (IBCA), consequently making it a popular jurisdiction for gambling.

Currently, the biggest and most popular establishment. is King's Casino, based on the island of Antigua's capital city and boasts over 350 slot machines.

Although there are not many of them, a significant number of casino resorts are under construction, and Robert De Niro is one of the names associated with those projects!

Legislation and Jurisdiction

Casino gambling and taxes on casino winnings are more permissive in Antigua and Barbuda than in the US, which is one of the reasons why a growing number of experienced gamblers choose this island as a second home.

Despite maintaining a reputation as a reliable jurisdiction for international gaming operations, Antigua and Barbuda has faced numerous global challenges since its inception, including disputes with the United States over barriers against online gambling by the US.

Nowadays, the Gambling Commission (Division of Gaming) is responsible for controlling and supervising licensed operators, with the legislative framework governing this area including the Interactive Gaming and Interactive Wagering Regulations of 1994.

Additionally, in 2010, the FSRC of Antigua and Barbuda signed a historic agreement with the Kahnawake Gaming Commission, which strengthened and made the gambling industry safer.

Popular Sports & Games

Slot machines are naturally the most popular games of any land-based or online casino, and all of the gambling establishments in Antigua and Barbuda boast a fantastic number and variety of these games!

As we have already mentioned, King's Casino (being the biggest and the most famous one) has the highest number of slots, but Grand Royal Antiguan Beach Resort and Paradise Casino don't lack these games either!

Apart from slot machines, there is a fantastic number of electronic keno and video poker offerings, complemented by various roulette, blackjack, Spanish 21, and, expectedly, Caribbean Stud!

Banking

Antigua and Barruda's currency is the Eastern Caribbean dollar (ECD), and seven commercial banks operate in the country.

The Eastern Caribbean Central Bank regulates banks that are expected to meet international standards, while the Ministry of Finance, in consultation with the ECCB, is responsible for granting licenses for them.

Regarding a safe gambling environment...

...the 2016 Gambling Act is one of the essential tools for ensuring that.

In general, since gambling is entirely legal in Antigua and Barbuda, players have a variety of payment options and currencies to choose from, including cryptocurrency.

A variety of traditional banking services are offered by the country's commercial banks, including loans, fixed deposits, savings and checking accounts, telegraphic transfers, foreign exchange, and letters of credit.

Conclusion

Antigua and Barbuda is a fantastic option for casino players who also love to enjoy breathtaking beaches and various other summer activities.

This page also allows you to explore other venues we didn't mention in this review and learn about everything they have to offer.

While these are mainly similar, they differ in the number of certain games they offer, meaning, if you are more into slots, you will head to the King's Casino or St James Club, while table games fans will probably opt for the Asot's Arcade Jackpot Casino Slots Venue & Hotspot.