COSTA RICA: Casino owner says zealots jeopardize gaming jobs

[clevfan]

Casino owner says zealots
jeopardize gaming jobs
By the A.M. Costa Rica staff

Slot machines at casinos are being closed down by cheap politics and zealots with prohibition mentalities, said the owner-operator of one of the affected casinos.

The person is Jamie Ligator, who operated the Horseshoe Casino on Avenida 1 at Calle 9.

Some 24 machines in his casino and a simlar amount at the nearby Hotel Del Rey were shut down by municipal officials Feb. 25. The machines, perhaps 60 percent of those available at the Horseshoe, were still dark Sunday.

Ligator reponded because A.M. Costa Rica reported municipal officials said the two casinos had licensing problems.

Not so, said Ligator in an e-mail mesage. "We have provided to the San Jose Municipality ample proof that we did indeed have all the permits necessary to operate all of our slot machines," he said, adding:

"The San Jose municipality has embarked on a policy of harassment against all casinos in its jurisdiction, this policy being fueled by:

"1. Cheap politics — some people think that if they get at the forefront of closing casinos, they will add popularity to their future campaigns."

"2. Zealots — still the prohibition mentality that you have to forbid whatever you don´t approve of or don’t like."

Although he did not mention him by name, Johnny Araya, the mayor of the municipalidad, has higher political aspirations.

The slot machine situation is clouded because a law passed in 2002 levied a one-year tax on the devices. That measure expired Dec. 31, 2003, but municipal inspectors have attributed their actions to enforcing other laws.

"It is a shame that a few individuals have the power to influence the municipality in supporting such backward thinking and do not show any concern for the thousands of families that earn their living from the casino industry in Costa Rica," said Ligator.

The municipaliity shut down the sport book at the Casino Colonial on Super Bowl Sunday last year.The sports book remains closed and other casinos have eliminated their sport betting operation.

Typically casino owners do not speak publicly about the actions by the muncipality, so Ligator’s comments are unusual.