The Puerto Rico Hotel and Tourism Association (PRHTA) rejected House Bill 1514, which seeks to authorize online casino games in Puerto Rico, warning it could hurt the jobs, investments and revenue of established casinos on the island. Ismael Vega, president of the PRHTA Casino Committee, called it unacceptable that a proposal of this magnitude was presented without consulting the casino industry, saying casinos generate jobs, invest capital and operate under strict regulation.
The measure, administration bill A158, was announced by Governor Jenniffer Aydin González Colón on October 16. It would set a legal framework for online gambling (iGaming) and direct revenue from an excise tax on that activity toward pension increases for public-sector retirees. It would allow online versions of games now played in physical casinos, distinct from the online sports betting already authorized in Puerto Rico.
According to the PRHTA, the bill also contemplates tax incentives that could favor virtual casino operators while traditional establishments keep their tax obligations and investments in physical facilities, creating unequal competition and possibly reducing revenue for casinos tied to the hotel industry. Miguel Vega, former chair of the PRHTA board, said the effects reach hotels, tourism investment and families who depend on these jobs.
The group also questioned that recent studies on market saturation and economic and fiscal consequences were not disclosed. The proposal includes requirements for operators, providers and players, plus consumer protection, responsible gaming, cybersecurity and anti-fraud and money-laundering measures, with oversight by the Gaming Commission in coordination with the Treasury Department (Hacienda). The PRHTA said it will evaluate the bill and is willing to join a dialogue on gambling regulation.