Puerto Rico’s regulator looks to boost gaming tourism

The executive director of Puerto Rico’s Gaming Commission, Orlando Rivera Carrión, has proposed that casinos could play a more significant role in bringing tourism to the Commonwealth.

“The casinos are part of a gaming tourism offering that we’re not utilising,” he contended, speaking before the Senate’s Nominations Committee.

As part of efforts to help grow Puerto Rico’s gaming industry, Rivera Carrión said he is currently working on the reopening of the casinos at Embassy Suites by Hilton Dorado del Mar Beach Resort and Foxwoods El San Juan Casino, the two venues have been closed for 10 and four years respectively.

“This will have a positive impact on the economy, it will create jobs, and will generate additional funds for the Government via licence fees and taxes on gaming machine revenue,” he emphasised.

He reported that the Gaming Commission is also in the process of updating Puerto Rico’s gaming regulations to better address gambling addiction and is collaborating with the Administration for Health Services and Against Addiction (ASSMCA).

“It’s a priority for us to continually contribute to the prevention of gambling addiction. The Commission has contributed around $1.2m towards the prevention of gambling dependency and to help direct citizens to receive support,” Rivera Carrión added.