Operator News
Puerto Rico – Puerto Rican Government to investigate Rincón casino development
By Phil - 17 June 2019
The government is planning on launching an investigation into the construction of a hotel and casino in an “ecologically sensitive” area in Rincón located in the north-western part of Puerto Rico. Local lawmaker José Pérez told press that he also wants to know why a tax exemption was given to developers.
The member of the House of Representatives of Puerto Rico presented Resolution 1365 to investigate the permit, the possible environmental impact on the community, as well as tax incentives granted for the construction of the hotel and casino.
“We have received reports of possible irregularities in the construction of a hotel and casino in the municipality of Rincón, in an environmentally sensitive area, allegedly, and as a result, the community has reported that they have spotted earth moving work associated with the project that potentially violate federal and state regulations, including, but not limited to, the federal provision the Clean Water Act,” Mr. Perez said.
The local community has also complained that the Permit Management Office approved an environmental recommendation for the company and they further allege that the company was granted a tax exemption for the project in October 2017.
“However, it is necessary to know under what context the Tourism Company granted this tax exemption,” said the legislator.
“We will investigate these allegations, in particular, if the relevant agencies complied with the procedural and evaluative rigor necessary to safeguard the natural resources of the area which will be impacted by the construction of the hotel and casino,” said Mr. Pérez.
The Gaming Division of The Puerto Rico Tourism Company (PRTC) regulates all administrative processes regarding licensing, franchise concession, supervision, and management of gaming operations in Puerto Rico. The PRTC was founded in 1970 and is a public corporation responsible for stimulating, promoting and regulating the development of Puerto Rico’s tourism industry.
