The Business Group of Gaming Machines (GEMA), which brings together licensed operators in the route gaming sector, announced the delivery of its first official payment to the Puerto Rico Police Retirement Fund, fulfilling the requirements set by Law 11 of 1933 and its amendments. The contribution, amounted to nearly US $460,000.
“Today we take a historic step,” stated GEMA spokesperson Jaime A. Irizarry Delgado. “We can demonstrate with real empirical data that authorized gaming machines generate the necessary resources to strengthen the retirement of our police officers.”
According to current legislation, 22.5% of the net profits from route machines and income from licenses must be directed to the Police Retirement Fund. This payment is the first since the most recent regulations were implemented.
In addition to announcing the contribution, GEMA urgently called upon authorities—including the Puerto Rico Gaming Commission, the Police, the Fiscal Oversight Board, and the Judiciary—to intensify efforts against the illegal operation of unauthorized machines. Irizarry Delgado warned that non-compliance weakens the impact of the collected funds and jeopardizes the goal of ensuring a dignified retirement for police officers.
“The legislative intent is not just to collect taxes, but also to eradicate illegality. If we do not act firmly, the promise to protect our police officers’ retirement will remain unfulfilled,” he emphasized.
The spokesperson stressed that compliance with the law must be uniform for all operators. “When there are no consequences for those operating illegally, it affects all of us: the police and their families, as well as those of us who comply with the law,” he said.
Currently, GEMA represents 23 operators out of the 104 licensed and authorized on the Island. The organization reaffirmed its commitment to compliance with the law, the formalization of the industry, and the economic development of Puerto Rico.
In March the Puerto Rico Gaming Commission announced the start of the application and renewal process for licenses for route gambling machines following two years without legislative regulations. Regulation No. 9647, which was approved by the Fiscal Supervisory Board (JSF) in December 2024 to facilitate its implementation, aims to regulate the industry and support the Police Retirement System.
The post Puerto Rico route gambling operators provide boost to police pensions appeared first on G3 Newswire.
The Business Group of Gaming Machines (GEMA), which brings together licensed operators in the route gaming sector, announced the delivery of its first official payment to the Puerto Rico Police Retirement Fund, fulfilling the requirements set by Law 11 of 1933 and its amendments. The contribution, amounted to nearly US $460,000. “Today we take a…
The post Puerto Rico route gambling operators provide boost to police pensions appeared first on G3 Newswire.