Jamaica officials have misplaced a company’s application for license under the island nation’s newly authorized casino industry.
Spanish hoteliers Fiesta Jamaica Limited submitted the application back in November ahead of the government’s deadline only to learn that is was not among the four proposals officially accepted on December 6 and forwarded to a government team handling the bids.
“The envelope was not addressed to the project coordinator, and hence, did not reach the relevant section in the ministry in time for the opening,” said the Finance Ministry, which has turned to the office of the Attorney General for advice on what to do next.
“Given that the records show that the document was received before the deadline, it was forwarded to the project coordinator pending further legal guidance,” the ministry said.
The four proposals accepted are for Drax Hall Estate in St. Ann, submitted by Casino Royale Limited; for Trelawny, submitted by Amaterra Jamaica Limited; a bid by Harmony Cove, also for Trelawny; and one for Montego Bay submitted by Celebration Jamaica Limited.
All are required under the enabling legislation to invest no less than US$1.2 billion and construct at least 1,000 hotel rooms.
Fiesta’s bid is for Point in Lucea, Hanover. The company operates three resort hotels in Jamaica as a division of the Palladium Hotel Group.
