The new entry into scene of these machines would occur through amendments to the tax reform project, which would first be evaluated and approved in the House of Representatives.
"They are legal machines, but they can not pay prizes and we know what is happening. What is being sought by them (local business owners of these machines) is to connect to the system so that the government sees the money that is coming in and the money that comes out of these machines and that they tax and contribute to the treasury," Rivera said. Schatz indicates that the cost of the canon that annually have to pay the owners of these machines "is not proportional" to the income they generate.
"That is a source of additional income that is not contemplated and that we do not have today," he said.
Rivera Schatz argued that allowing these machines to generate cash prizes does not necessarily mean unfair competition for the casino industry, arguing that it is a different kind of customers.
"Any measure that produces precautions and has sufficient controls to not have a negative impact on society deserves our support," he said. "These entrepreneurs want to contribute, they want to contribute and it is an opportunity that we have to take advantage of".
Although he indicated that the now Secretary of the Interior, Raul Maldonado, had commented on the interest of certain entrepreneurs in connecting their machines to the Treasury system, Rivera Schatz did not specify whether the Executive favors the amendment to the tax reform bill.
Source: GMB / El Nuevo Dia (Pueto Rico)
