The application process has begun for those interested in opening Bermuda’s first casinos.

In a statement released this afternoon, the Bermuda Casino Gaming Commission announced that the period for filing an application for a casino licence will begin on Monday, April 17. It will remain open until Friday, July 21. Applications can be obtained from the Commission’s office, located at Crawford House on Church Street.

Richard Schuetz, executive director of the Commission, described the move as an “exciting step” in the regulatory process.

“A robust regulatory regime is being put in place to safeguard the integrity of the gaming experience, oversee those operating casinos on the island in the future, and to ensure the industry is sustainable,” Mr Schuetz said in the release.

Under the Bermuda Casino Gaming Act 2014, the Commission can approve up to three provisional casino licences, in addition to the provisional licence granted to the developer of the St George’s hotel project.

“In total, there is the potential for four licenced integrated resort casinos to operate on the island,” the release said.

The Commission, however, is not obligated to issue all three licences.

A $600,000 application fee must accompany all applications.

A $1.4 million Provisional Licence Issue Fee is payable by applicants awarded a provisional licence. Those making it through to the final stage will then be subjected to a further $1 million Casino Licence Issue Fee.

“For each provisional licence awarded, $150,000 from the Provisional Licence Issue Fee will be provided to the Problem Gaming Council to offer training in the problem gambling to treatment professionals, provide marketing and community outreach programmes to educate relevant stakeholders on the treatment programmes, and other activities specified by the Commission,” the release added.

Additionally, $250,000 from each Provincial Licence Issue Fee will be earmarked for Bermuda schools to provide educational and vocational training related to gaming-related employment.