Senator Felix Rojas has declared that Bolivia’s new Constitution (CPE) allows for casinos to function and for the legalization of the country’s gaming halls, establishing in Article 299 that the authority to control gambling activity be divided between the State and the autonomous regions.

In contrast to declarations made last week by Congressman Gustavo Torres proposing legislation to eliminate gambling companies in the country and penalize gaming operations, Rojas confirmed, “A law cannot be above the Constitution and for that reason the proposal needs in depth analysis because the new Constitution cannot be modified by a simple law."

The Senator explained that Torrico’s bill would have to be approved by the Congress not to restrict but to set norms for the functioning of gaming operations to prevent both their proliferation and illicit acts such as money laundering and aiding terrorism.

Congressman Edgar Valeriano accused Torrico of attempting to damage the new Constitution by proposing a bill to close gaming halls when they had been permitted under common law. Many in Congress have supported the position of Valeriano and Rojas, as do regional governments and the unions, in defence of the new CPE.

For their part, businessmen from La Paz, Cochabamba and Santa Cruz consider that the government, National Lottery (Lonabol), prefectures and municipalities should draw up a new law to authorize gaming in Bolivia and agree regulations to order the sector. (E-09.22.09)

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