Robert Johnson, the former owner and founder of BET, will roll out a new gaming operation in Barbados over the next three years, under a plan to broaden operations across the Caribbean.

Johnson's RJL Companies, through CAGE Barbados Inc, will establish 2,500 video lottery terminals (VLTs) in Barbados that it has secured a long term contract to install and manage.

CAGE Barbados is a wholly owned subsidiary of RLJ's gaming division, Caribbean CAGE LLC.

"This long term management agreement is an integral step towards fulfilling our strategy of a significant presence throughout the Caribbeanand Latin America," said Bob Washington, chairman and CEO of Caribbean CAGE, a company he co-founded with Johnson.

RJL invests in diverse sectors ranging across financial services, real estate, hospitality/restaurant, professional sports, film production, gaming and recording industries.

Pleased

Caribbean CAGE - whose operation covers installation, operation and management of video lottery terminals, linked gaming systems and game content - already operates VLTs in the Turks and Caicos Islands and St. Kitts. It anticipates to start operating in Barbados by yearend.

The company did not disclose the size of the investment to be made.

"We are pleased to enter into a business relationship with Barbados.

Our ability to drive returns is good for Barbados and good for CAGE," said Johnson, RLJ chairman.

Caribbean CAGE is based in Puerto Rico, but also has offices in Las Vegas, Nevada.

business@gleanerjm.com