Sports betting is finally available in Puerto Rico
Thanks to BetMGM, residents and visitors to the island of Puerto Rico finally have access to their own regulated sports betting platform. This inaugural sportsbook was launched by BetMGM in partnership with Casino del Mar, the casino at La Concha Resort in the capital city of San Juan. As of last week, patrons were able to try out BetMGM’s sports betting kiosks themselves.
Sports betting is now available to residents and visitors of San Juan, Puerto Rico, thanks to kiosks from BetMGM. ©Wei Zeng/Unsplash
Sports betting in Puerto Rico: An overview
BetMGM began this particular collaboration with Casino de Mar in September 2021. However, the debate around sports betting in the island of Puerto Rico has gone on longer than that.
As an unincorporated U.S. territory, Puerto Rican residents are U.S. citizens and are subject to U.S. federal laws, but like the other fifty U.S. states, Puerto Rico can also pass its own legislation. In regards to gambling, the legal age on the island is 18 years old. Gambling is allowed with the stipulation that casinos must operate on the property of a hotel or resort.
When gaming revenue fell heavily due to the pandemic, legalizing sports betting became a key hope of Puerto Rico’s Gaming and Tourism sectors. In January 2021, Puerto Rico’s then-Governor Wanda Vázquez signed Senate Bill 1534 in order to allow for a regulated sports betting and eSports industry on the island.
Supporters of the bill in the Senate projected that it would pass by April 2021, but it ultimately took longer to officially launch Puerto Rico’s first sportsbooks at Casino del Mar.
The main opponents of the move to legalize sports betting in Puerto Rico were the territory’s Olympic Committee, who feared it would negatively impact the integrity of sports. The horse racing industry also expressed their dissatisfaction with the move.
BetMGM’s partnership with Casino del Mar
On February 11, 2022, BetMGM accepted wagers for the first time in the San Juan casino-resort. Five betting windows and 12 betting kiosks are open to visitors. Eventually, the provider will also open a retail sportsbook and a mobile app.
BetMGM CEO Adam Greenblatt shared his enthusiasm for the sports betting opening in a press release:
“This is a monumental day for BetMGM as it marks the launch of our first operation outside of the US mainland. Casino del Mar delivers exceptional guest experiences and is an ideal partner as we look to extend our brand in Puerto Rico.”
Casino del Mar’s general manager Sigfrido de Jesús held similar excitement for the development, saying:
“We are very excited to kick off sports betting at Casino del Mar through this important strategic alliance with BetMGM. In Puerto Rico, there is a wide base of sports fans who will now add the possibility of becoming winners to the excitement of their favorite sports games and matches.”
Expansion of casino industry in Puerto Rico
Aside from this exciting sports betting development, Puerto Rico has seen big changes in its gaming industry over the last few years. The territory welcomed another casino in November 2021 in San Juan: Foxwoods El San Juan Casino at the Fairmont El San Juan Hotel.
