Online Gambling in Barbados: An Overview
Similar to the Bahamas and Hawaii, the issue of online gambling hasn’t gotten much play in Barbados. There has been no notable effort to regulate the industry and offer licenses to operators; similarly, the government hasn’t taken much of an interest in stopping citizens from seeking out games themselves. Given the lack of regulation, operating a site from this country would likely be illegal; however, there has been nothing to suggest that it is against the law for citizens to gamble online, nor has any effort been made to block “unregulated” online casinos in Barbados from other nations.
The upshot of all this is that it is easy for both Barbadians and tourists to play at Internet gambling sites if they want to do so. This is a true grey market – there are no regulations for the industry, but also no signs that the country wants to stop operators from marketing here – which means that many major operators and developers are happy to offer real money play through an online casino in Barbados. The following are a few of the well-known gaming companies whose products can be enjoyed here:
- Microgaming
- NetEnt
- Betsoft
- RTG
- Rival
You want to make sure the online gambling sites you are using in Barbados are legit. Look at their reputation in other markets and see what players are saying about the given online casino. This will give you a good idea of what to expect. You can also read unbiased casino reviews on our site here to see whether a specific operator offers a genuine and secure service to its players.
Checking out the selection of games is also important as this can vary a lot from one operator to another. You might be a fan of live dealer games or progressive jackpots. Whatever the case may be, make sure that you choose an online casino in Barbados that has plenty of enjoyable game options.
Most of the online casinos in Barbados will have a variety of payment methods that you’ll find useful, such as Skrill, Neteller, Visa and Mastercard. You can check out the deposit and withdrawal methods available to you at an online casino in the Cashier section of your account. Plan out which payment options you’d like to use beforehand, as the casino could support certain options for deposits, and different ones for withdrawals.
Finally, if you can’t decide between a couple of different online casinos, having a look at the welcome bonus offers can be helpful. Not all bonuses are created equal, so make sure you check that you’re getting a good deal. No deposit bonuses, match bonuses, and free spins are all really great offers that will help kickstart your Barbados online gambling journey. Always read the terms and conditions of any bonus though to know all the offer’s details. Oftentimes, you can only use the bonus on specific games, and you’ll be given a timeframe within which you need to clear the bonus.
Once you find an online casino in Barbados that fits your needs, signing up couldn’t be easier. Creating an account only takes a few minutes as the registration process tends to be quite straightforward and hassle free.
Nation Resists Full Gaming Industry, For Now
If you head to Barbados without any forethought, you might assume that there will be at least a few small resort casinos waiting for you when you arrive. After all, many Caribbean islands are known for their gaming industries, so it is easy to assume that they all feature similar rules and regulations for gambling.
But that is not the case here. While the topic has been brought up on many occasions, there has been no big effort to bring casinos to the country. The discussion may have been at its height in the 1990s, when the government held public consultations to see if there was an appetite for a change in policies. Successive governments have strongly opposed any such expansion, despite members of the tourism and hotel industries suggesting that it could be a way to add new attractions and help the country compete against its neighbors.
There is one minor exception to this rule, with tourists able to play in casinos that are stationed aboard cruise ships thanks to a law passed in 2012. However, even these operations are off limits for locals, and they can only open up these gambling facilities after 6 pm at night.
If you’re simply looking for slots, however, you’ll have a few more options. Machine gaming is not entirely illegal, which means that some hotels and social clubs have them available for players. One popular destination is the Lucky Horseshoe, which has several locations across the island.
Horse racing is also quite popular here, and though there is only one track, it is an important one: the Garrison Savannah. The track hosts the annual Barbados Gold Cup, and has been home to racing since 1905, when imperial British troops were stationed in the area. As with most tracks globally, pari-mutuel wagering is offered on races throughout the season.
There is also a national lottery, which is run by the Barbados Lottery Association. Operated by international firm GTECH, the lottery offers a variety of different instant games and regularly scheduled drawings, including Caribbean Lotto and Mega 6.
Despite all of these options, however, there are a few things you won’t find anywhere on the island. There are no table games, so you cannot play blackjack, baccarat, roulette or similar standards. Similarly, there are no poker rooms here, nor is there any legal sports betting.
Casino Conversation Isn’t Going Away
No matter how hard the island may resist the concept, there are still those in Barbados who feel that the time has come to bring casinos to the country. For the first time, it appears that at least some members of the ruling party are open to the idea, even as others have said that they will always oppose any such expansion of the gambling industry.
One proponent has been Sunil Chatrani, who was previously the chairman of the Barbados Hotel Tourism Association. According to Chatrani, firm steps must be taken to shore up the country’s tourism industry, which he says is not currently sustainable in the face of increased competition throughout the Caribbean. While much of his discussion was about the protection of the island’s environment and infrastructure, he also suggested that the time had come for new discussions on resort gaming.
Still, any such effort faces an uphill battle. Social conservatism runs deep in the nation: even though many other limited forms of gaming are prevalent, Las Vegas-style gambling might just be too much to get past the populace and legislators alike. Nonetheless, it’s something to keep an eye on, especially if the island’s tourism numbers decline in the years to come.
Internet gambling, on the other hand, is unlikely to get much attention here: it isn’t a major tourism draw, and as such isn’t at the forefront for discussions on casino expansion. However, this isn’t all bad news, as it means that players here can continue enjoying online casinos that are based in other countries.
Join a Top Casino Online in Barbados
While casino gambling in Barbados is still a long way off, there are other options that will satisfy your needs. If you are in Barbados, online casino options from offshore operators are plentiful. They allow you to play your favorite casino games in a fair and transparent manner. You can get your hands on lucrative welcome bonuses and choose from a selection of different payment methods. With the signup process only taking a few minutes, registering for an online casino in Barbados couldn't be easier.
You can check out the best-quality casinos online in Barbados in our expert list above. Take your pick from these established sites and join a great online casino today
