Sports Betting Allowed in Jamaica – September 18th, 2009

The Jamaican government has given its approval for an amendment to the Betting, Gaming and Lotteries Act regulations to allow for the introduction of sports betting, reports the Jamaican Observer.  The approval includes provision for a 9 percent gross profit tax on sports betting offered by licensees.

This will entail bookmakers paying a total gross profit tax of 16.5 percent, the Observer notes. The decision was announced last week by Minister without Portfolio in the Office of the Prime Minister, Daryl Vaz, at the post-Cabinet press briefing at Jamaica House.

The approval paves the way for the introduction of betting on overseas sport matches, such as the National Basketball Association (NBA) games in the US and European club football matches.