Representative José Aponte Hernández claimed that the entity owes a debt to the Mental Health and Anti-Addiction Services Administration.
Puerto Rico.- Representative José Aponte Hernández demanded from Camarero Race Track the payment of USD 2.75m owed to the Mental Health and Anti-Addiction Services Administration (Assmca), through the Compulsive Gambler Assistance Program (PAJC).
“It is absurd and irresponsible that the racetrack, a monopoly, owes so much money to the PAJC. The current debt of USD 2.75m will rise on July 1 to USD 3m. This is too much. The lack of commitment to this important program, while at the same time they ask for and seek support to install more adult video game machines, is too much. We demand that this debt be paid now,” stated in written statements the legislator from the New Progressive Party (PNP).
According to Law 74-2006, Camarero Racetrack must contribute USD 250,000 each year to support the Compulsive Gambler Assistance Program, however, they have not done so since the fiscal year 2013-14.
“Over the past decade, we have observed how some elements of the industry seek to turn the racetrack into a casino with Adult Video Game Systems, the so-called machines, however, that same group refuses to pay and that is not acceptable,” Aponte Hernández held.
An Assmca report concluded that there is still difficulty in receiving the disbursement of the contribution from the gross income of the bets to the Pool coming from the application of Law 83 of July 2, 1987, known as the Law of the Horse Racing Industry and Sport, currently under the protection of the Horse Racing Sports Bureau of the Gaming Commission of the Government of Puerto Rico.
“This contribution has not been received since the fiscal year 2013-2014, and although the Commission has made efforts in this regard, they have not borne fruit,” assured the former president of the House of Representatives, who asked the management of Camarero Racetrack to start payments to the PAJC immediately.
See also: The Camarero Racetrack of Puerto Rico under investigation for possible violations of the betting law
Aponte Hernández stated that “the management of the racetrack continues to ignore the resolutions of the Gaming Commission of Puerto Rico to pay this debt; they have the responsibility to do so and do it now. We will not continue to listen to excuses for not paying, they have to do it”.
