By The Star Staff
The Police Retirement System Fund would be negatively impacted by an increase in the number of slot machines that the Horse Racing Agencies of the Camarero Racetrack is requesting, the head of the Police Members Association of Puerto Rico (AMPPR by its initials in Spanish) said earlier this week.
AMPPR President José J. Taboada de Jesús rejected what he characterized as a crazy proposal of the Camarero Racetrack through Light & Wonder. He said Juan Carlos Santaella Marchán, interim director of the Puerto Rico Gaming Commission, supports the idea that, if put into effect, would weaken the Police Pension System. Taboada de Jesús said the public will use the slot machines instead of the video game machines, which do pay a contribution to the pension system.
The AMPPR said any attempt to change the number of slot machines for the racetrack requires that a tax be imposed by law on all the slot machines so that they pay their tax to the Treasury Department. Part of that contribution from such an operation is then deposited in the already weakened account of the Police Retirement System.
“The action of the interim director of the Puerto Rico Gaming Commission borders on the absurd, creates a precedent, and goes against retired Police officers and those close to retirement, most of whom receive a small pension after having offered their lives for the security of the country,” Taboada de Jesús said. “This gentleman, who should have little power because he is an interim appointment, a position that lasts until December 31, has just decided to clear the way to a request from the Light & Wonder company to increase by practically 300% the number of slot machines that a horse racing agency in Puerto Rico can have.”
The proposal promoted by the Gaming Commission, which also regulates video game machines, seeks to increase to up to 15 the number of machines (terminals) per horse racing agency.
“It is important to point out that there are currently 3,400 video game machines operated by the company Light & Wonder,” Taboada de Jesús said. “The Camarero Racetrack has 5,000 approved machines, none of which pay taxes or duties to the Treasury Department, meaning that all the money generated goes to the owner of the racetrack.”
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