January 2019 Business View Caribbean

12 13 EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOWABOUT GAMBLING IN THE CARIBBEAN W hite sand beaches, sparkling blue wa- ters, and gorgeous sunshine are just a few of the draws to visiting the Carib- bean, but if you needed another reason to head out there, the region is also a growing gambling destination. Over 22 countries in the region have legalized gambling with over 22,000 slot machines, 1,280 gaming tables and 159 different casinos. If you like to have a flutter, then why wouldn’t you do it in the Caribbean? It certainly beats heading down to your local casino for a bet. In this article we take a look at some of the best spots to gamble in the Caribbean and take a brief look at what’s next for gambling in the region. Cartagena, Colombia On the Caribbean coast of Colombia sits the jewel in the crown of the country’s beauty, Cartagena. During the height of narco-terrorism in Colombia, millions of dollars were spent by major players such as Pablo Escobar on luxurious homes in the city. Now that the era of Pablo Escobar has ended, the city still retains the opulence of a previous OPENING LINES decade minus the danger. 31 degrees Celsius is the average daily temperature in Cartagena and the city is a paradise for tourists. The city also abounds with top notch casinos, the best of which are Cartagena Casino and Casino Rio Cartagena. The former is situated just a ten minute stroll from the gorgeous private beaches in the new town. After you’ve won (or lost) in the casino you can head straight to the beach and cool off in the Caribbean Sea. Puerto Rico The small Spanish-speaking island off the coast of the United States could rightly call itself the gambling capital of the Caribbean, in fact, the gambling capital of the Latin American world. Thanks to American influence, the tiny island is awash with casinos, one of the best being the Ritz Carlton San Juan. All manner of gaming variations are available from American roulette to European roulette, blackjack, craps, poker, and baccarat. Further, private rooms are available for discerning guests who want to enter invite-only games for huge stakes. The hotel included in the building is stunningly luxurious as well, with dazzling views of nearby San Juan. Some of the best Latin food is available, as well as beauty and fitness centers. You’ll also be in the beautiful Caribbean, so what’s not to love? The Dominican Republic Along with Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic is an incredibly popular tourist destination for rich American travelers. Their penchant for gambling has to be catered to in the Dominican Republic and there are plenty of casinos available for punters. There are 30 casinos in The Dominican Republic across a whole myriad of different locations as well as a horse track and several sports betting sites. Away from the gambling tables in the Dominican Republic, there’s much more to do than just sit on a beach and sip a piña colada. There are a number of extreme sports to try out including bungee jumping and white water rafting as well as mangrove forests and petroglyph caves to explore. Online gambling in the Caribbean If you’re having just too much fun relaxing by the beach or the pool in the Caribbean, then you