The gaming industry in Puerto Rico has collapsed in the face of more than 100,000 illegal slot machines in bars and restaurants across the commonwealth. Most of the island’s casinos have closed and gaming tax revenue that previously flowed to the government has disappeared. This has only compounded the economic instability of Puerto Rico.
But the founder of Black Entertainment Television (BET), Robert Johnson, is ready to ride to the rescue. Johnson proposes to replace all those illegal, non-tax paying machines with 30,000 legal and licensed VLT terminals. These machines would be connected to the Puerto Rico Treasury Department for tax transparency, compliance and collection purposes.
Johnson represents the Caribbean CAGE group, which includes Scientific Games, IGT/GTECH, Aristocrat Gaming, and Inspire Gaming, as well as a couple of Puerto Rican partners.
According to Johnson, “The CAGE team has spent several years researching and developing a legal VLT-gaming platform and operational system for Puerto Rico, much like those that exist in 12 states in the United States. Not only is the CAGE team committed to investing in Puerto Rico and the people of Puerto Rico, we are also encouraged by the political and business leaders in Puerto Rico who recognize the necessity for Puerto Rico to rid itself of its underground economy, like non-taxable gambling, and deploy a legal system that would generate much-needed revenue for economic development, job creation, and improve education and social services. I am convinced that the government of Puerto Rico is committed to a transparent and accountable economic and fina
