Posted on: August 31, 2023, 07:07h.
Last updated on: August 31, 2023, 07:07h.
Casino del Mar at the Hotel La Concha Resort in Puerto Rico has given itself an upgrade. It has just launched an exclusive space for high rollers looking for something more than just another trip to a gambling floor.
The addition comes at a time when Puerto Rico’s gaming industry is undergoing a transformation. Casinos have long been a strong part of the economy, but some changes in and around the capital city of San Juan could impact its success.
Earlier this month, San Juan said that it was going to introduce a new Public Order Code (POC) that would, in essence, include a nightly curfew for everyone. Should it move forward as planned, more than a few gamblers will be unhappy with the results.
Giving Gamblers What They Want
The new gaming space at Casino del Mar, which the casino is calling the “High Limit Pit,” is an exclusive area that offers customers the opportunity for higher limits on bets. It offers a private entertainment environment that, according to Casino del Mar GM Sigfrido De Jesús, incorporates innovative technology.
The $1-million upgrade also offers exclusive attractions aimed at the tastes of the high-roller crowd, as well as its own bar. Casino del Mar, which inaugurated a BetMGM sportsbook last December, opened High Limit Pit on August 29.
It includes tables for blackjack, roulette and more, all ready to accept bets of higher denominations. De Jesús didn’t specify what the limits would be.
The new room is also bringing more employment to the region. High Limit Pit added 10 more personnel to the casino’s workforce.
The POC that San Juan is working on could affect the operations. It would prevent the sale of alcoholic beverages in many establishments after 1 or 2 in the morning, depending on the day of the week.
The regulation could also force those not staying at the Hotel La Concha Resort to leave before dawn. Hospitality and tourism-related businesses are fighting the ordinance.
Puerto Rico Gaming Goes Diamond
The legal Puerto Rican casino market just hit a milestone. It turned 75 earlier this month, and doesn’t show any signs of slowing down.
The Puerto Rico Gaming Commission (PRGC) welcomed the anniversary and the success of the industry. It said that the approval of the law allowing the establishment of arcades and slot machines 75 years ago has greatly contributed to the territory’s government by yielding $1.4 billion over the last decade.
Jaime Rivera-Emmanuelli, the interim head of the PRGC, emphasized that by legalizing gambling in 1948, Puerto Rico strategically positioned itself as an enticing hub for gamblers. Consequently, this move has led to substantial growth in tourism activity. Puerto Rico became the second jurisdiction in the US to embrace gambling as a lawful activity, following Nevada’s lead in 1931.
There are a total of 18 thriving casinos in Puerto Rico. This flourishing industry is responsible for generating around 10,000 jobs, both directly and indirectly. The revenue generated by these casinos is split among several stakeholders, including the casinos themselves, the federal government, the educational programs at the University of Puerto Rico, the Department of Finance and the Puerto Rico Tourism Company.
Between 2013 and 2023, $1.4 billion was disbursed by the government. Casinos helped deliver $620 million to the University of Puerto Rico, $213 million to the Treasury and $537 million to the Puerto Rico Tourism Company.
