The Legislative Assembly of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico is considering two bills that would legalize sports betting. The legislature is nearing the end of its session and it’s possible the bills might have to wait until next year for consideration.
Rep. Néstor Alonso Vega is the author of both bills. Vega is president of the House Commission of Tourism and Social Welfare. Since the U.S. Supreme Court lifted the federal ban on sports betting (Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act of 1992) in May, legislatures all over the U.S. have been lining up to pass bills to allow for betting on professional and amateur sporting events.
The first state to do so was New Jersey, which had sued to overturn PASPA. In September, the first month sports betting was allowed there, the state’s casinos and racecourses recorded $183.9 million in betting.
Puerto Rico is a commonwealth of the U.S. Vega has said he believes legalization of sports betting could bring in $20 million in revenues to the island. Vega’s bills include provisions spelling out the legalization, regulation and taxation of sports betting in the island’s casinos. It would set aside 20 percent of gross income for the island’s retirement system and the casino would keep 80 percent.
Besides wagering at casinos, betters could place wagers using their cellphones or desktop computers, but first they would need to register with one of the casinos offering the service.
Vega says legalization would boost the island’s tourism, although he gets some argument on that point from some casino operators who claim the market is saturated.
