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Barbados, the easternmost island in the Caribbean, is celebrated for its stunning beaches, vibrant culture, and rich history. While it’s renowned for its rum, the island also offers a variety of entertainment options, including gambling.
For legal reasons, Barbados does not offer traditional casino gambling. Still, the island provides a variety of gambling activities in other forms, such as slot machine lounges and horse racing betting.
Beyond gambling, Barbados is a destination rich in culture, history, and natural beauty, offering something for every traveller. Whether you’re drawn to its culinary delights, vibrant music scene, or stunning natural landscapes, Barbados promises a memorable Caribbean escape.
Here’s an overview of Barbados, with a focus on the gambling possibilities.
Overview of Barbados
Barbados is a sovereign island country in the Lesser Antilles. Its capital, Bridgetown, is a bustling hub of activity, offering everything from historical sites like the Garrison area—a UNESCO World Heritage site—to lively street markets. The island’s west coast is famed for its calm, clear waters, while the east coast, facing the Atlantic, is more rugged and ideal for surfing.
Barbados offers many activities for those looking for entertainment beyond gambling. Water sports, diving, and snorkeling are popular due to the island’s clear waters and abundant marine life. On land, visitors can explore botanical gardens, plantation houses, and natural wonders like Harrison’s Cave. The nightlife in Barbados, particularly in St. Lawrence Gap, offers lively bars, clubs, and live music venues.
Barbadian culture is a rich blend of African, Portuguese, Indian, Irish, and British influences. Music and dance play a significant role in Barbadian festivities, with calypso and reggae being much-loved favourites. The Crop Over Festival is one of the year’s cultural highlights, marking the end of the sugar cane season. The island is also known for its exquisite cuisine, blending seafood, local spices, and rum-based dishes.
Gambling in Barbados
Casinos and legality: Unlike some Caribbean destinations, Barbados does not have traditional casinos. This is due to legal restrictions. The gambling laws in Barbados prohibit casino gambling, meaning you won’t find conventional casino establishments on the island.
Slot machines and similar form of betting: While casinos per se are not legal, gambling in certain other forms is available and regulated. Visitors and residents can enjoy slot machine gambling at various locations, including bars and gaming lounges. These machines are often found in dedicated gaming establishments that offer a casino-like atmosphere, minus table games.
Horse racing: One of the most popular forms of betting in Barbados is horse racing. The Garrison Savannah, near Bridgetown, is the heart of horse racing on the island. Betting on races is legal and part of a long-standing tradition, with the Barbados Turf Club managing events. The Sandy Lane Gold Cup, held in March, is the most prestigious race, attracting international attention.
Lotteries: The Barbados Lottery is another legal gambling outlet, offering various games, including scratch cards, draw games, and other lottery-type activities. Proceeds from the lottery support social and community initiatives.
The Barbados Lottery
The Barbados Lottery is operated by IGT (NYSE:IGT), one of the largest gaming companies in the world. Proceeds from the lottery is used to support social and community initiatives on Barbados, especially in the fields youth, sports and culture. Some of the main benefactors of the Barbados Lottery so far has been the National Sports Council, Barbados Olympic Association, Barbados Cricket Association, and Barbados Turf Club.
Only those aged 18 or above are allowed to play the lottery.
You can not buy any tickets online. There are more than 200 authorized retailers for the Barbados Lottery, spread out over not just Barbados but also on St. Maarten, St. Kitts & Nevis, Antigua & Barbuda, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Anguilla.
The Garrison Savannah
As mentioned above, the horse racing venue Garrison Savannah is the hub for horse racing and horse race betting in Barbados. You´ll find this venue within the Garrison Historic Area, just outside the city Bridgetown, and horse racing has taken place here since the days when a British garrison was stationed in this part of the island.
The main course here is a clockwise grass course.
Internationally, the Garrison Savannah is chiefly known for the annual Barbados Gold Cup for Thoroughbreds, which takes place on the six-furlong track around the perimeter of the green. This is the pinnacle of the racing year in Barbados and attracts a large and international crowd. The event is held in February/early March each year over a turf course at a distance of 1,800 meters (8.95 furlongs). Thoroughbreds at age three or older participate.
The Garrison Savannah also hosts the annual Barbados Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing series.
Trivia!
- Some of the oldest and most rare English cannons in all of the Caribbean are on display at the Garrison Savannah.
- In 2012, a network of subterranean tunnels was discovered at the Garrison Savannah.
Visting Barbados
Where is Barbados?
Barbados is an island country in the Lesser Antilles, in the Caribbean. It is the most easterly of the Caribbean islands.
How big is Barbados?
Barbados is 431km².
Capital
The capital and largest city is Bridgetown.
Language
The official language is English. Most locals speak Bajan, also known as Bajan Creole or Barbadian Dialect. This is a creole language which is based on British English and includes a lot of West African idioms and expressions.
Currency
The official currency is the Barbadian dollar (BBD), but the U.S. dollar is also widely accepted.
Driving
In Barbados, we drive on the left-hand side of the road.
Electricity
115V, 50Hz (North American plug)
Time zone
UTC -4h
Health care
The main hospital is the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Bridgetown. There are also eight polyclinics, plus various medical care centres such as the Bayview Hospital, Sandy Crest Medical Centre and FMH Emergency Medical Clinic.
Flying in
There is one international airport on the island, the Grantley Adams International Airport.
Boating in
- Many cruise ships dock in the Bridgetown deep water harbor.
- Private moorings are available around the island. Visiting vessels should check in either at Bridgetown or Port St. Charles. There are entry/exit fees.
- Dropping anchor on coral reefs is forbidden and heavily pennalised.