Puerto Rico Senate Passes Amendments to Gaming Machine Law

Project 1593, aimed at amending the “Gaming Machines Law” to ensure retired Puerto Rico Police officers receive a minimum of 50 percent of their pensions, has been officially endorsed by the Senate. This measure had previously obtained approval from the House of Representatives in March.

On January 12, Representative José Rivera Madera introduced a legislative proposal to amend Section 29 of Law 11 of 1933, also known as the “Gaming Machines Law,” in order to secure funds for compensating retired police officers affected by Law 3 of 2013.

Under this amendment, the allocated amount for retired officers will be generated from the fees and royalties received from licensing and operating gaming machines in Puerto Rico.

The explanatory statement of PC 1593, authored by Representatives Rivera Madera and José González Market, emphasizes the Legislature’s unwavering commitment to the citizens who dedicated years to protecting lives and properties. The proposal requires the Governor of Puerto Rico’s signature to become law.

The Tourism and Cooperatives Commission of the House of Representatives presented a favorable report on the measure. Representative Rivera Madera, who chairs the Commission, submitted an analysis highlighting that government revenues will remain unaffected as the funds will be available in a dedicated trust, based on receipts received from Route Games of Chance Machines, in accordance with the law.

Furthermore, recent amendments were introduced through Law 104 of 2022, which pertained to contributions to the Puerto Rico Police trust.

The announced amendments ensure that $75 from each license fee or renewal payment for gaming machines operating on designated routes will be used to enhance the compensation of the Puerto Rico Police Retirement fund. Similarly, when the license fee amounts to $1,500, a total of $450 will be allocated to the agents’ retirement.

Additionally, 60 percent of the income collected from slot machines, which is sent biweekly to the Gaming Commission and validated for amounts, will be allocated monthly to the trust established by law to improve the compensation of Puerto Rico Police Retirement.