After meeting with the Association of Administrators of Games of Chance (Asaja, for its acronym in Spanish), the Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF, for its acronym in Spanish), through the Gaming Control Board, has decided to impose a tax of 5 percent on this industry.

The tax will be applied when a player wins a bet or cashes chips at the gaming facility. This will be the legislative proposal to be presented by the MEF to the National Assembly in the coming days.

For example, a person who wins $200 will pay a tax of $10.

Antonio Alfaro, president of Asaja, indicated that this tax is not new to the gaming industry. It is implemented in other markets such as Mexico and the United States.

Currently, the only tax is paid by slot machine players, who must pay a tax of 7 percent. With the law that will be sent to the Assembly, this tax will be reduced to 5 percent and will be applied to all types of game except horse betting.

La Prensa