Wetgeving
Honduras – Honduras politicians call for gaming law repeal
By Phil - 9 juli 2014
Calls for a repeal of gaming laws in Honduras are growing amongst claims that the industry is not paying enough tax and is being used for money laundering.
Deputies belonging to the Partido Anticorrupción (Anti Corruption) Party have allied alongside members of the Libre (Free) Party to call for major reform which would affect both casinos and slot parlours nationwide.
Together they have called for repeal of gaming laws arguing that the industry does not generate sufficient income for the treasury and also has a harmful affect on many people especially the poor due to gambling addiction. In addition, they argue that taxes for slot machines were reduced too dramatically under the previous administration from US$1,300 to US$210.
Gaming in Honduras remains very small scale and gaming law has remained in many way unchanged since 1977 when Honduras passed its first gaming act. The act was designed specifically so that casinos would attract more tourists and improve tourist infrastructure and allows for table for both games as well as slot machines. However, according to lawmakers who are proposing repeal of the old act casinos have failed to attract tourists and instead are attracting only locals especially those who are less well off. Licences are valid for twenty five years and are renewable after that period every five years and casinos must be part of a five star hotel or resort.
