The government of Puerto Rico has opened a period of public comment on regulated online gaming in the country. It will last until September 10.
Manuel Laboy Rivera, secretary of the Department of Economic Development and Commerce and president of the board of the Puerto Rican Gaming Commission, said regulations will establish “the norms that will govern this innovative industry so it can reach its maximum potential, along with the talent and resources that we have on this island.”
Rivera said iGaming has become a natural option “during these times that we’re facing due to the spread of Covid-19. So there is a great opportunity to position ourselves in this industry, which can contribute around $68 million by 2022.”
In February, Governor Wanda Vázquez revealed her intention to regulate the online industry by August, with the aim of “creating jobs and wealth” for the territory, according to SBC Americas.
The executive director of the Financial Advisory Authority and Fiscal Agency (AAFAF) Omar Marrero Díaz said that the government is committed to evaluating the comments and integrating “citizen participation in these activities within a legal framework.”
In May, the commission selected Gaming Laboratories International (GLI) to advise on the regulations and operations on the island. Karen Sierra-Hughes, director of government relations at GLI, told SBC that “Puerto Rico has been a pioneer and role model on land-based gaming regulation,” and that the company “envisions the same for this new industry opening soon.”
