TLDR
- Puerto Rico’s Senate is reviewing Bill 960, which would allow standalone poker rooms, online sports betting, esports gambling, and electronic lottery games
- The Treasury, Budget, and PROMESA Commission visited Casino Metro to assess the proposed changes firsthand
- The bill includes new licensing rules and safeguards against problem gambling and underage play
- The Gaming Commission and hotel industry groups voiced concerns that the bill may just redistribute existing gambling revenue rather than create new income
- The Hotel and Tourism Association warned that independent poker rooms could pose security risks and hurt Puerto Rico’s image as a tourist destination
Puerto Rico is weighing a major expansion of its gambling industry. Senate Bill 960 would introduce new forms of betting across the island territory, but industry stakeholders are pushing back with concerns about security and economic impact.
The Senate’s Treasury, Budget, and PROMESA Commission recently held an on-site inspection at Casino Metro in connection with the proposed legislation. Senator Migdalia Padilla Alvelo led the visit alongside Gaming Commission executive director Juan Santaella Marchán and representatives from the Puerto Rico Hotel and Tourism Association.
Casino Metro General Manager Ismael Vega was also present during the inspection.
What Senate Bill 960 Would Change
The bill was introduced by Senator Roxanna Soto Aguilú. It seeks to amend the law that governs the Puerto Rico Gaming Commission.
Under the proposal, standalone poker rooms would be allowed to operate separately from traditional casinos. Online sports betting would also be expanded.
The bill would open the door to esports gambling as well as interactive electronic lottery games through apps and websites.
New licensing and oversight rules are included in the legislation. These are designed to prevent problem gambling and keep underage players out.
Senator Padilla called the bill a complex piece of legislation with many moving parts. She said further amendments could be made before any final vote.
“This is definitely a piece of legislation that carries economic impact, and that is because the games produce revenue for the government,” Padilla said. She added that the bill is not set in stone.
Industry Pushback Over Revenue and Security Concerns
Not everyone is on board with the proposed changes. Santaella, the Gaming Commission’s executive director, raised concerns about loosening regulations in an industry that currently requires multiple licenses to operate.
He warned that the bill could simply move gambling dollars around rather than generate new revenue. “Our position is to ensure that apart from generating more income with this project, we make sure that the redistribution of gambling revenue will not be the only outcome,” Santaella said.
The Hotel and Tourism Association echoed those worries. Fabiola Pagán Meléndez, a representative of the association, said the bill could hurt casinos already operating inside hotels.
Pagán said the measure could take players away from casinos that meet strict security standards. She did not see evidence the bill would bring in more government revenue.
She also raised safety concerns about standalone poker rooms. In poker, players compete against each other rather than the house. Pagán argued that games played outside of casino-grade security environments could create problems.
“Such games might pose security problems if played in an environment without the same safety precautions and security staff, which will certainly harm Puerto Rico’s image as a tourist destination,” she said.
During the Casino Metro visit, the commission reviewed the facility’s control systems, procedures, and gaming technology.
The Senate said more inspections related to Bill 960 will take place in the coming weeks. A final commission report is expected once those reviews are complete.
