BGLC to roll out central monitoring system to tighten oversight of Jamaica gaming machines

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Jamaica’s Betting Gaming and Lotteries Commission (BGLC) has outlined plans for a Central Monitoring System (CMS) that it says will deepen transparency, accountability and public trust in the country’s gaming machine industry.

According to the regulator, the automated platform sits within a broader package of reforms aimed at updating how gaming machines are supervised and bringing local rules closer to recognised international standards.

Executive Director Timar Powell, speaking to JIS News, said the BGLC will publish a Request for Proposal (RFP) to select a capable firm to install and run the CMS while remaining under the commission’s authority.

“The procurement process will ensure the system is professionally implemented and managed with strong governance controls, while allowing the commission to maintain effective oversight of its operation,” he explained.

Powell stressed that the changes are not limited to making regulation more efficient. He argued they also fit wider national economic and governance goals by bolstering openness, institutional integrity and confidence in Jamaica’s regulatory institutions.

He pointed to recent cases involving suspected stolen gaming equipment as evidence that the sector needs updated controls. A central monitoring platform, he said, would make it easier to identify, track and trace machines, offering stronger protection for licensed businesses and the wider public while limiting space for illegal activity.

“The transition is not simply about regulation for regulation’s sake. It is about strengthening the integrity, security and credibility of the gaming machine sector in keeping with international best practices,” Powell said.

The executive director also urged operators who have not finished the compliance process to act promptly. Those who meet the rules, he said, stand to gain from working inside a lawful, regulated environment that offers more stability, encourages responsible gaming and supports the industry’s long-term viability.

Powell said the BGLC will continue helping operators through the change by offering the advice needed to reach the required benchmarks.

“Our objective is to build a stronger, more transparent gaming sector that can stand up to both local and international scrutiny,” he said.