THE number of gaming machines seized by the Betting, Gaming and Lotteries Commission (BGLC) more than doubled last year due to operators’ failure to license their units, despite claims by owners that the returns on investing in the boxes are extremely profitable.

According to the BGLC, a total of 246 gaming machines were seized in 2024, a massive jump from the 117 confiscated in 2023. The figures represent a 110 per cent increase.

In an advisory to the operators of gaming machines and gaming locations, the commission urged compliance with the law to foster trust and confidence in gaming establishments.

The commission said that from February 1 to June 30, 2025, all operators of unlicensed machines have the opportunity to regularise their operations without any penalty.

If they fail to do so within the allotted time, the commission warned that their machines will be seized. Operators of the machines can also be arrested and charged and may be fined by the court up to $500,000 or sentenced to six months’ imprisonment in default of payment.

Operators who fail to license their premises can also be arrested and charged and may be fined up to $1 million or sentenced to 12 months’ imprisonment in default of payment.

The application should be submitted to the BGLC with a receipt showing evidence of payment of the annual levy to Tax Administration Jamaica.

During a visit to six bars and gaming locations across the Corporate Area, all operators told the Jamaica Observer they were compliant.

One bar owner, who requested anonymity, scolded other operators who failed to comply with the law, stating that the new machines that feature the American roulette wheels are a lucrative venture that they should not run the risk of losing.

“It’s a good game, and it is a good investment… You have a man who has all 500 machines. I just come inna the business, so me nuh buy nuh house out of them yet, but everybody a buy house out of them,” he told the
Sunday Observer.

He said that, while the cost of the machines is a bit high, with operators shelling out $400,000 for one unit, the return on that investment is substantial.

“The most machine you can [have] is 19. If they [BGLC] come in and one of them don’t license out of all of them, I lose my license, so I licence all of my own them, because I eat food off it,” he said.

“In all, is $13,500 I pay for each machine for the year, and you make back that within days. Any man who don’t want to license his box is a careless man because it makes money,” he added.

The owner explained that users put in a minimum of $2,000 to play American Roulette. They select the numbers they think the ball will land on and log in their answer. At the top of the screen, he said, there is a set of numbers the machine chooses that will give players 20 or often 500 times their winnings if the ball lands on the number they choose.

“The people who play [the game], them get 90 per cent off of it, and we, the owner, get 10 per cent, so that’s why they play them so hard. These are the new sets with the times [that multiply winnings]. If a man put $1,000 on a number and the 500 times comes up, is $500,000 him win. People mash it up all the while, but we still eat food,” he explained.

“If a man wins $100,000, me a get $10,000 and him take the $90,000. Sometimes people win, and sometimes they lose, so is a chance you a take and gamble. When they lose, I win same way, although they win more times,” he added.

The bar owner shared that he has invested in more than 100 machines all across Jamaica, and he has earned more than double the cost of his investment.

He said the only problem he faces is that bill acceptor slots on the machines will often not accept notes when people are trying to place their bets, but that is a small price to pay.

“Right now, I have five [machines] inna my jeep fi go fix. You see, because they [the Government] bring in these new types of money, they wear out, mostly like the $100; the machines refuse them. But they put in a new programme, so I have been going around and reprogramming the machines and make it take the money, whether is crush up money or it wear out,” he told the Sunday Observer.

Bar manager Amanda Cole said that the machines are also a source of income for some customers who use them religiously.

“It’s very profitable and it is a good business to have in the bar. As early as 6:00 am or 7:00 am people are coming in and wanting to play the boxes, and as late as night the boxes always keep playing,” she said.

“We, the owners, make money, but people are making money on it, too. Since week, somebody won $90,000 one time. You have this family — mother and daughter — they come here and when they cashing out they take all $100,000. You have people who religiously come just for the boxes.

“Is them box here run the place. If you want to make money quick, send for four, put them in a bar… You will see how fast you make back your money,” said Cole.

One man, who gave his name as Gary, said he, too, knows a lot of people who use the machines as their main source of income.

“People wake up and just know that this a what them a go eat off. A man will just go draw a $20,000 and know say a work him come, because you can win all $1 million off it,” said Gary.

“If you buy all $2,000 and it lands on times 50 and you pick the number it lands on, it will drop $100,000. If you buy it for $5,000 and it drops on times 50, all quarter million you a get,” he told the Sunday Observer.

While the payout is great, Gary says he does not rely on the games as his sole means of income, but admits that he plays often.

“I win $40,000 or all $50,000 on it regularly,” he said.

“You have a man who will charge a $10,000 on the box and know say him can get one $60,000 or $70,000 and nuh have to go inna the sun and sweat for it. This pays far better than Cash Pot,” he exclaimed.