The National Assembly of St. Kitts and Nevis has passed the Gaming Control (Amendment) Bill, 2025, providing critical legislative support for the establishment and operation of the National Lotteries Authority (NLA). The passage of this bill, along with the National Lotteries Authority Bill, 2025, marks a significant milestone in the government’s plan to create a self-managed, transparent, and locally beneficial lottery system that retains an estimated EC$70 million in annual revenue currently exiting the Federation.
Speaking in Parliament on 31st July, 2025, Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Dr. Terrance Drew, described the gaming amendment as a “technical but necessary refinement” to ensure smooth operational rollout of the NLA without compromising regulatory integrity. “Let me be absolutely clear, Madam Deputy Speaker: this exemption is not a loosening of oversight, nor is it an invitation to regulatory laxity,” he asserted. “It is a targeted refinement that recognises the distinct statutory regime under which the NLA operates.”
The amendment exempts the NLA and its licensed operators from the annual licence renewal requirements applicable to private gaming entities. Instead, the Gaming Commission may issue a multi-year licence to the NLA, thereby reducing bureaucratic duplication. Prime Minister Drew affirmed that the NLA remains subject to robust regulatory oversight, particularly concerning anti-money laundering compliance and financial probity.
Shortly before this vote, the House also passed the National Lotteries Authority Bill, 2025, which formally establishes the NLA as a body corporate tasked with managing all lottery operations in the Federation. The new statutory body is designed to promote transparency, public accountability, and national economic empowerment.
Of the approximately EC$70 million generated by current lottery operations annually, only EC$50,000 has been paid to the government—an imbalance Dr. Drew called “shocking and unacceptable.” He added, “We are not talking about EC$7 million, but EC$70 million leaving our country each year. That is too much money leaving our Federation. This money can be kept here and help to further advance the lives of our people.”
The NLA model is projected to generate EC$10–$15 million annually for social programmes, including a proposed National Health Insurance system and other citizen-focused services. Importantly, the new law mandates that lottery winnings, procurement, and salaries remain in St. Kitts and Nevis, boosting domestic job creation and economic circulation. A local subsidiary will employ approximately 20 nationals directly, with broader income opportunities for sales agents and support staff.
Citing successful examples from Dominica, Grenada, St. Lucia, and Guyana, Dr. Drew highlighted the long-term national benefits of adopting a locally controlled, public-benefit lottery model. “These countries have shown that exclusive national lotteries can be run successfully with strong public benefit and local control,” he noted.
The Gaming Commission, operating under the Financial Services Regulatory Commission (FSRC), will retain regulatory oversight of the NLA, ensuring compliance with international standards and maintaining the integrity of the broader gaming sector.
With the passage of both Bills, the government of St. Kitts and Nevis has created the legislative architecture for an inclusive, accountable, and sustainable lottery sector that prioritises economic equity and social development.
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