The Bolivian National Lottery has presented a draft bill aimed at regulating gaming in the country and putting a stop to the illegal operations, violation of the law and loss of taxes by the state. Parliamentarians will consider the proposed bill, which would ensure the financing of public health through gaming tax.

The new law would also provide finance for the state from the additional company taxation. Laura Encinas, executive president of the National Lottery, explained that the draft bill removed various loopholes existing under the present law. Operators would have to pay a special gaming tax on all income generated by gaming after payment of prize money.

The bill grants the regulation of gaming to the state; strengthens the National Lottery and creates new taxes. It has been drawn up to promote a legal framework, transparency, acceleration of the licensing process and the free granting of licences, which is not unusual in South America where the right to do business usually incurs no charge.

The National Lottery is granted the powers to adopt measures against exclusivity, monopoly and cartels. It will also supervise adherence to the regulations and prevent the proliferation of illegal gambling operations. If the bill becomes law then the authorisation of licences in Bolivia for all gaming machines will be suspended for six months, except for those already fully licensed.

Those businesses that are duly licensed will have a period of 60 days to ensure that they comply with all aspects of the future law. Parliament has been considering the problem of regulating the gaming industry in Bolivia and state control has been proposed as it has more resources, particularly in the collection of taxes, than the National Lottery. (E-05.31.07)

© Copyright 2007 CasinoCompendium



>>> return to archives
>>> return to frontpage