Mahoe Gaming applies for Jamaican lottery license

According to a report published by the Jamaica Observer, Jamaican organisation Mahoe Gaming Enterprises has applied to the Betting, Gaming & Lotteries Commission (BGLC) for a licence to enter the local lottery market.

The entity, which is chaired by Michelle Myers Mayne, recently unveiled its interest in obtaining  a lottery licence from the regulators with the BGLC also revealing that it had been reviewing the Caribbean operators application since July 2019.

As the organisation awaits a ruling from the board of commissioners regarding the possible granting of a license, Mahoe reiterated that it has submitted all the necessary documents thus complying with the BGLC’s requirements. 

A statement released by the firm read: “Mahoe Gaming believes in competition and that the current lottery industry needs competition to grow. If given the opportunity, we intend to expand and deliver on the promise of the potential to increase revenue for all.

“It is our expectation that the increased earning opportunity for multiple stakeholders including retailers is expected to grow local employment and a significant boost to the gross domestic product via increased local business activity.”

Discussing the potential granting of its license, the organisation stated that it intends to introduce new and exciting games for players whilst also promising to offer ‘compelling business opportunities for retailers, innovation and best practices for the industry, as well as increased tax revenues for Government and social welfare programmes for Jamaican citizens’.

The statement continued: “We hope to have a favorable outcome of the application process before the regulator, not from underhanded dealings, but based solely on the strength of our application.”

Following concerns expressed by the Jamaica Gambling Association (JGA) about the probity of the application, Mahoe confirmed that it has undergone scrutiny across the entire organisation. The JGA, however, continues to demand a transparent and independent study from the regulators.