Puerto Rico, like numerous tourist locations with balmy temperatures, has very long offered casinos as a lure to visitors. But an economy that is currently in shambles has affected the island country’s gaming industry, and on Sunday, Puerto Ricans voted emphatically for statehood, although an also more emphatic number stayed at house.

Ninety-seven percent of those that chose to vote favored the unincorporated US territory being a full-fledged member of the union as the state that is 51st however some 77 percent associated with population chose to ignore the referendum altogether.

Anti-statehood opposition parties officially boycotted the referendum on the causes it was ‘rigged’ in favor of statehood, or more they claim. Nevertheless, based on the ruling Partido Nuevo Progresista (PNP) celebration, the social individuals have actually spoken.

‘This result is more than enough to take to Washington and urge Congress to do the right thing,’ Luis Rivera Marín, PNP secretary of state, told the UK’s Guardian, denouncing the boycott of the referendum as ‘a sham.’

‘In the democratic process there is no such thing as a boycott,’ he said. ‘In this technique, if you don’t vote, you don’t count.’

Casino Industry Hit Hard

Puerto Rico has been gripped by an enervating recession over the decade that is past which has affected its once thriving tourism and casino industries both. The island has 12 main gambling enterprises, most of which are based inside resort properties, but a handful have closed down in recent years.

Most recently, the El San Juan Hotel announced it would not be reopening its casino facilities following an extensive renovation in February, due to ‘challenging financial and industry dynamics,’ although it might choose to reopen it later on, resort executives said.

Meanwhile, Puerto Rico’s certification regime is in dire need of reform. An onerous tax that is revenue-based slots has grown more punitive as industry amount declines. Gambling reforms have already been proposed, but have stalled in the legislature.

The PNP believes that joining the usa on equal terms would bring in funding that is extra would assist to drag the area out of recession. But for many Puerto Ricans, statehood has its drawbacks.

Greater Expenses, But Lower Fees

Presently, residents of the island are only needed to pay federal earnings taxes on money earned on the usa mainland. With meals currently 22 % more costly than in the continental United States, and general public solutions 64 % greater, extra taxes will be a burden on a populace that is struggling.

Meanwhile, many foreign corporations based on the island, which also pay higher fees now, would probably relocate.

Many Puerto Ricans opposed Sunday’s referendum on the grounds it would cost millions and would likely achieve very little.

In a comparable referendum in 2012, 61 percent of those who voted were in benefit of statehood, having a much higher voter turnout, but no action had been taken by Congress to forward the measure that is complex.