Casino industry celebrates 75 years in Puerto Rico

The Puerto Rico Gaming Commission commemorated the 75th anniversary of the approval of the law that in 1948 gave way to the development of the gambling industry, regulated by the Government for the protection of players, informed the interim executive director of the Puerto Rico Gaming Commission (CJPR), Jaime Rivera Emmanuelli.

According to Rivera Emmanuelli, the purpose of the legislation was to promote tourist activity on the island by authorizing casinos and slot machines, as is customary in entertainment centers in tourist destinations around the world.

"This objective is constantly met if we consider that the Island has a growing catalog of tourist offerings, to which remote sports games and betting have recently been added," said the official in written statements.

“With the approval of Law 221 of May 15, 1948, the legal framework was established on the Island to safeguard transparency in gambling, through regulation. The legal framework made possible the creation of a formal industry, supervised by the Government, with a view to ensuring tourists and locals the greatest guarantees of purity of the games. On the other hand, the regulation allows them to make important contributions to the treasury”, he added.

According to the executive director, at present the industry has 18 casinos. The funds they generate are distributed among the casinos, the central government, the educational programs of the University of Puerto Rico, the Treasury Department, and the Tourism Company.

During the past ten years (2013-2023), the Government received a total of $1,369,835,368; specifically the UPR received; $619,801,948; Treasury received $212,735,360 and the Tourism Company received $537,298,058.

“The Gaming Commission, as a regulatory body, ensures compliance with the licensing, supervision and control procedures of casinos, slot machines and sports betting. Every casino must have a license in order to operate. In this way, we establish a good balance between the free operation of the casinos and the interests of the State and its people”, pointed out Rivera Emmanuelli.

The Gaming Commission recognized the different components of the industry during a ceremony at the Antiguo Casino de Puerto Rico, a place selected in a symbolic way.