White sandy beaches, crystal clear waters, and beautiful sunshine are just a few of the many reasons to visit the Caribbean. But one reason that’s often overlooked, is the growth in the island’s popularity as a gambling destination.
Many of the oldest sportsbooks with the best reputations base themselves in the Caribbean, just off shore from the United States. Antigua, Costa Rica, and Curacao all offer online sportsbook licenses and cooperate with relevant regulatory bodies to ensure bettors enjoy a legitimate and safe, gaming experience unrestricted betting with the best non-Gamstop sites.
The Legalisation of sports betting in the Caribbean
Sports betting laws vary throughout the Caribbean, so if you’re looking to enjoy some sports betting action, make sure you check with your destination before travelling.
Antigua
Pioneering Antigua was one of the first countries in the Caribbean to legalize online sportsbooks. It issued its first online sportsbook license in 1994 and by 1996, the country was home to a total of 15 online sportsbooks.
The annual revenue from its sportsbooks is now estimated at over $3 billion and shows no signs of slowing. It’s also the reason so many other Islands are looking to get in on the action.
Curaçao
A Lesser Antilles Island country in the southern Caribbean Sea, Curaçao officially created legislation to regulate online sportsbooks in the 1990’s. By 2002, online sportsbooks had become an invaluable part of the island’s economy.
Due to its lack of bureaucracy and simple registration process Curacao, despite its small size, is one of the most popular destinations for online sportsbooks.
Puerto Rico
Arguably the gambling capital of the Caribbean, this small Spanish speaking Island has been heavily influenced by its proximity to the coast of the United States. With a plethora of casinos on the island, its shores are a popular destination for gamers, but sports betting has now come to Puerto Rico
The Islands Gaming Commission recently granted the Casino Del Mar at La Concha Hotel, the first temporary sports betting license on the island. Its timing was designed to coincide with the Super Bowl, allowing people to bet on the big game.
As more Islands relax their sports betting legislation, visitors to the Caribbean can expect it to be easier to bet on sport over the coming months and years.
What are the most popular sports in the Caribbean?
The Caribbean plays host to a wide variety of sports, with different islands favouring different sporting activities. Now that sportsbooks are being legalised, we look at what sports will be popular amongst bettors.
Horse Racing
Not a sport you would automatically associate with the Caribbean, but the horse racing is popular on a lot of islands, including: Barbados, the Dominican Republic, Nevis, Jamaica, Martinique, Puerto Rico and Trinidad and Tobago.
The most famous meets are held just outside Bridgetown in Barbados at the Garrison Savannah. The Barbados Turf Club runs three annual meets throughout the year that are popular with locals and tourists alike.
Puerto Rico’s only horse racing track is the Hipódromo Camarero located in Canóvanas, only 30 minutes from San Juan, but the sport is popular on the island.
Baseball
American Major League Baseball (MLB) is popular the world over, but in Puerto Rico, baseball is a national sport and the country has produced some of MLB’s greatest ever stars. First introduced in 1898, there is even a small professional league on the Island.
The champions take part in the Caribbean Series where they face teams from Venezuela, Panama, Mexico, Colombia and the Dominican Republic.
Boxing
Boxing is popular across the Caribbean and many great champions have come from the region. Cuba, Puerto Rico, Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago are just some of the many islands that love their boxing.
With a population of only 3.6 million people, Puerto Rico is quite possibly the greatest pound-for-pound boxing country in the world. They have produced top boxing stars in every decade since the 1930s, including Carlos Ortiz, Felix Trinidad, Wilfredo Gomez and Miguel Cotto.
Olympic boxing has also seen many representatives from the region, including Jamaica’s super heavyweight Olympian Ricardo Brown who recently turned pro. The region loves its boxing and follows their stars wherever and whenever they fight.
There’s no doubt, the Caribbean loves sport, from UFC to Cricket, Soccer, horse racing, Baseball and more, it’s a sport lovers paradise. With American sport also proving incredibly popular across the area, Sports betting is sure to be a success as legislation opens up even more opportunities across the Islands.
So, if you want beautiful beaches, sunshine, great food and some sports betting on the side, there’s no better place to be.
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