Puerto Rico’s Senate has intensified scrutiny of a key funding mechanism for police pensions, holding a public hearing to investigate delays in implementing the island’s police retirement trust and gambling machine law.
The Committee on Public Safety and Veterans Affairs, chaired by Senator Gregorio Matías Rosario, convened the session to examine why the “Police Retirement Trust Law” and the “Law on Gambling Machines” have not been fully executed, despite being approved and cleared by the Fiscal Oversight Board. Matías warned that further amendments risk stalling the process and insisted no additional changes be made until implementation is underway, telling agencies he expects firm timelines and “no excuses” for continued delay.
Gaming Commission executive director Juan Santaella Marchán outlined the status of licensing and enforcement under the gambling machines law, noting that 86 of 110 licensed owners have begun the renewal process and have until 2 June to complete it. He said the Commission has issued a memorandum requiring wholesalers to renew within 90 days, will start fining unlicensed operators from 1 July, and is carrying out an educational campaign while working with the Police Bureau on confiscation regulations.
Santaella also told senators that implementation was held up by the Fiscal Oversight Board, which initially blocked Law 11 and required prior authorisation, and that around 75,000 machines currently operate without a licence against a legal cap of 25,000. He urged legislators not to reopen the statute now, arguing that any new changes would reset the process “to the detriment of the Police” .
Police organisations backed the inquiry but pressed for urgent action, warning that retired officers are struggling financially while the trust remains inactive .
Senator Roxanna Soto Aguilú submitted Senate Bill 960 (PS 960) to the Legislative Assembly in March.
The bill proposes a broad expansion of Puerto Rico’s gambling landscape by amending current laws to authorize new forms of gaming beyond traditional casinos, including poker rooms, interactive electronic lotteries, and regulated sports and e-sports betting.
Citing New Jersey and Nevada, the senator argued that expanded gambling could significantly raise revenue. The senator estimates Puerto Rico could add $50–$100 million per year, driven by sports betting, which yielded roughly $2.18 million in the previous fiscal year.
According to the senator sports betting, e-sports, and independent poker rooms offer strong tourist appeal while an e-sports scene could draw gamers from abroad.
The bill would define poker rooms as venues outside traditional casinos with at least 10 tables, taxed at 15% gross revenue. Betting on e-sports would be taxed at 12% of net profits, while interactive electronic lotteries would contribute 20% of income to social programs and gambling-addiction prevention, with prizes regulated by the state.
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Puerto Rico’s Senate has intensified scrutiny of a key funding mechanism for police pensions, holding a public hearing to investigate delays in implementing the island’s police retirement trust and gambling machine law. The Committee on Public Safety and Veterans Affairs, chaired by Senator Gregorio Matías Rosario, convened the session to examine why the “Police Retirement…
The post Puerto Rico Senate stages casino floor visit as it weighs landmark gambling expansion bill appeared first on G3 Newswire.