The 1696 Chamber Project, authored by Alonso Vega, amends the "Gaming Law", in order to allow gambling through digital platforms; authorize the Tourism Company of Puerto Rico (CTPR) to impose franchise rights, establish the minimum requirements for obtaining franchises and the distribution of gambling revenues through the internet. In the same way, the collection of internet game license rights would be controlled and regulated.
Jaime Alex Irizarry, director of the Gaming Division of the CTPR, favored the approval of the measure saying: "We understand pressing to approve legislation as it is ... Precisely because of the absence of effective regulation, such as the one proposed here, currently in Puerto Rico there are illegal betting on the Internet, without any protection or guarantee, both for users, as for the State ".
Irizarry recommended that the CTPR be authorized to blocking servers, websites or service providers that offer online gaming that are not authorized, that the percentage of retention of the Internet games offered be the same as the face-to-face games offered in the casinos, and to prohibit the creation of establishments within the licensed hotels to offer online games, which are intended or dedicated for their use and offer.
Likewise, with the purpose of improving the piece of legislation, the Puerto Rican regulator suggested reducing the proposed tax by 20 to 15 percent to make it competitive within the jurisdiction of the United States. "This reduction will allow the licensee the necessary income to offer better gaming offers ... While improving the offer, the volume increases, which will result in a higher gross income," explained Irizarry.
The president of the Commission reiterated that with the beginning of internet gambling in the United States, Puerto Rico can be part of a new offer. "In this way opens the space for the development of a new market and, therefore, the potential to increase revenue in the coffers of the Island."
Source: GMB / Casino Compendium
