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BGLC ends remote licensing, shifts to fully online application platform

New system to handle submissions, payments and approvals digitally

Regulator says move will strengthen compliance, oversight and efficiency

The Betting, Gaming and Lotteries Commission (BGLC) is moving to overhaul how operators are licensed, scrapping its long-standing remote licensing exercise in favour of a digital-first system that it says will strengthen oversight and improve compliance across the sector.

The change, flagged in a recent notice advising that there will be no remote licensing this year, marks what the regulator describes as a broader shift in how it manages licensing and enforcement.

“The shift from remote licensing to an online application model is part of the commission’s broader effort to modernise and strengthen its licensing and compliance framework,” the BGLC said in response to queries from the Jamaica Observer.

Remote licensing had been introduced as a way to reach operators in communities outside of major urban centres, with the commission setting up temporary satellite locations in parishes for a limited period. During those exercises, applicants would complete physical forms, submit supporting documents, and interact directly with licensing officers.

That model is now being replaced by a fully digital platform designed to handle applications from start to finish.

Under the new system, applicants will be able to submit documents, make payments, track applications, and receive approvals online, with licences issued electronically. The commission said the platform is intended to improve efficiency, transparency, and data security, while reducing reliance on manual processes.

In effect, the transition represents a move away from what the regulator described as a “manually-driven process” towards a modern digital framework.

But the shift is not entirely eliminating face-to-face interaction.

The BGLC noted that while the core application process will be handled online, certain steps — including site inspections, document verification, interviews, and compliance assessments — may still require in-person engagement, depending on the type of licence.

The commission argues that the new system will ultimately make it easier for those operators to remain compliant, even as it requires them to adjust to a more digital process.

“The new online system will empower and enable customers to be more compliant… [and] reduce delays and simplify licensing, with in-person steps required only when necessary,” the regulator said.

Importantly, the move is not being positioned as a temporary measure.

According to the BGLC, the transition reflects a long-term strategic shift in its regulatory approach, with the digital platform expected to become the standard framework for licensing and compliance going forward.

“The digital platform is part of the commission’s broader objective to modernise the industry, enhance transparency, improve efficiency, improve integrity, and strengthen regulatory oversight,” it said.

The roll-out in 2026 is expected to be the first phase of that transition, with further refinements anticipated as the system is tested and operators adapt to the new model.

“While 2026 will see its initial implementation, the system is intended to serve as the standard framework for licensing and compliance going forward, with ongoing enhancements based on operational experience and stakeholder feedback,” the regulator said.