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By EVA LLORENS VELEZ
The Puerto Rico government has seen a
marked reduction of about $31 million a
year in excise taxes received from horse
racing because the industry has been seriously
hurt by the recession that has been affecting
the island for the past eight years.
Camarero Race Track President Ervin
Rodríguez made his remarks Tuesday during
a Senate Tourism, Culture, Recreation and
Sports and Globalization Committee hearing
that was evaluating the appointment of
Wilfredo Padilla as Horse Racing Industry
Administrator.
Rodríguez said the Camarero racing
season just ended with $134 million in
revenues.
“The government used to get $50 million
a year from excise taxes,” he said. “Last year,
it earned $19 million.”
He complained that while the government
spends huge sums of money promoting the
electronic lottery, it spends zero money in
promoting the Camarero Race Track, while
taxing the industry heavily.
“The government spends over $20
million in promotion on the electronic
lottery,” Rodríguez said. “It spends zero on
horse racing. But it gets the lion’s share, a 13
percent excise tax on the racing industry. It
took 13 percent when the earnings were at
$284 million and is taking it now when they
are at $134 million, and while spending $20
million on advertising on the lottery.
“It is at this historic moment that it takes
brave men and women who will step forward
to contribute effectively and accurately
to solving this crisis and preventing an
industry and a sport, which is rooted for
the past 130 years among our people, from
disappearing.”
There are more than 650 horse race betting
parlors around the island, of which 45 are
new and have created 120 jobs. Around 350
of those have adult entertainment machines,
also known as out-of-casino slot machines.
In response to a question, Padilla said
there has been friction between himself and
the Horse Racing Board, whose fi ve members
were appointed by former Gov. Luis Fortuño,
in particular the chairman of that body, Luis
Manuel García Passalacqua, as they are doing
things they are not authorized to do.
Tax Revenue From Horse
Racing Down $31 Million
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