PRHTA ‘surprised’ by video lottery case comments
PRHTA Chairman Miguel Vega
Puerto Rico Hotel and Tourism Association Chairman Miguel Vega expressed surprise Wednesday by the statements made by the Treasury Secretary questioning how long the trade group’s case against the agency on the validity of the regulation to authorize video lottery in Puerto Rico has been in the court.
“The comments by Secretary [Juan Zaragoza] are ironic. We have been the victims of the proceedings instigated by Treasury, even though our arguments are based on the law, and what we request of the court is that it resolve accordingly and pursuant to the law,” Vega said.
Treasury, through the Department of Justice, “continues to file numerous motions and elaborate diverse legal maneuvers directed at delaying the case and preventing any resolution,” Vega said.
“Our recommendation to the Secretary is that he allow the resolution of the case without further delay so that we may all have the court’s decision on whether he has the legal faculty to authorize gambling machines through regulations, or if on the contrary, it is imperative to amend current legislation to achieve that purpose. That is the question. We are awaiting the reply,” Vega said.
The PRHTA has been waging a battle against video lottery machines that have been proliferating in Puerto Rico for several years. If the machines are allowed, the trade group will “go to all available forums to enforce our claims,” Vega said.
