Through an Executive Bylaw, the Ministry of Tourism has ordered the National Casino Commission of Venezuela to stop the issue or renewal of new gaming room licences for bingo, casino or slot machine operations throughout the South American country. According to the Official Gazette publication on this matter, the Executive order has a duration of three years.

According to the bylaw: “It is State policy to restrict gaming operation activities of bingos, casinos and slots parlours in all commercial centres, malls, national parks or natural reserves, which have been officially declared as flora an fauna reserves, and also in zones of national security. Additionally, gaming businesses cannot be sited near residential areas, educational buildings, temples, sport centres, health centres and hospitals, and there must be a distance of at least 550 feet between them.

Furthermore the Official Gazette states, as one of the considerations of the gaming bylaw, that existing companies cannot reassign any legal provision for existing permits and gaming licences. Gaming activity in Venezuela is regulated by the Gaming Tax Law, which was approved last year, and through this legal mechanism the local tax authorities set up regulatory controls for the casinos, bingo and slots operations, as well as local lotteries and sports betting. (E-03.19.08)

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