Gaming Commission issues over half a million dollars in fines

Fines have been issued to the tune of some $530,000 to gaming machine operators and businesses found to be in violation of a new regulation.

By The Star Staff

Government Gaming Commission (CJGPR by its initials in Spanish) Executive Director Juan C. Santaella Marchán announced Monday that over half a million dollars in fines have been issued to gaming machine operators and businesses operating illegally.

The move follows the introduction of Regulation No. 9647, which governs the Issuance, Management, and Oversight of On-Road Gaming Machine Licenses.

“Since the regulatory process began [in] July, our Office of Investigation and Regulation has been actively inspecting various businesses to ensure compliance,” Santaella Marchán said. “Without a doubt, we are at a historic moment for the gaming industry.”

Between March and July, the CJGPR provided guidance to business owners, and afterward, staff from the Office of Inspection and Regulation visited hundreds of establishments that were found to be violating the law. They issued fines totaling more than $530,000. Additionally, since July, the CJGPR has collected just over $7 million in licensing fees.

Since the passage of the law, the CJGPR has worked to establish a licensing, registration and oversight system to manage gaming machines. In its initial phase, the measure set a limit of 25,000 licenses -- one per machine -- during the first two years of implementation, starting with the renewal of licenses for operators who were previously licensed by the commission.

“At the Gaming Commission, we will continue to work to ensure compliance with the law and uphold the public policy of this administration,” Santaella Marchán said. “We urge business owners to make sure their machines comply with the law in order to avoid fines.”