His Excellency Governor Daniel Pruce in his recent Speech from the Throne stated that improvements to the Virgin Islands Gaming and Betting Act 2020 are to be made during the Second Session of the Fifth House of Assembly (HOA).
The Gaming and Betting Control Act establishes the framework for a regulated gaming industry including the Commission to oversee activities in the industry, he explained.
This falls under the second National Sustainable Development Plan Goal—the economy—as the HOA uses this session to focus on moving these goals forward.
The act was described as part of the territory’s push into economic diversification. However, it did not pass without controversy as religious groups expressed their disapproval. Meanwhile, Governor Pruce said this year, 2025, steps will be taken to improve the effectiveness of the act, and the legal mandate of the Commission will be initiated.