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

Ninety-seven percent of people who chose to vote favored the unincorporated US territory becoming a full-fledged member of the union as the 51st state, however some 77 per cent of this population chose to ignore the referendum altogether.

Anti-statehood opposition parties officially boycotted the referendum on the grounds it was ‘rigged’ in favor of statehood, approximately they claim. Nevertheless, in accordance with the ruling Partido Nuevo Progresista (PNP) celebration, the individuals have actually spoken.

‘This result is plenty of to take to Washington and urge Congress to accomplish the right thing,’ Luis Rivera Marín, PNP secretary of state, told the united kingdom’s Guardian, denouncing the boycott of the referendum as ‘a sham.’

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

Casino Industry Hit Hard

Puerto Rico has been gripped by an enervating recession over the past ten years, which has affected its once thriving tourism and casino industries both. The island has 12 casinos that are main most of which are based inside hotel 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 economic and industry dynamics,’ although it would likely select to reopen it later on, hotel executives stated.

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

The PNP thinks that joining the usa on equal terms would bring in additional funding that would assist to drag the island away from recession. But for many Puerto Ricans, statehood has its drawbacks.

Higher Costs, But Lower Taxes

Currently, residents of the island are only needed to pay federal income taxes on money earned on the US mainland. With food already 22 percent more expensive than in the continental United States, and public solutions 64 percent higher, additional fees would be a burden on a struggling population.

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

Numerous Puerto Ricans opposed Sunday’s referendum on the grounds that it would price millions and would likely achieve little.

In a comparable referendum in 2012, 61 % of those who voted had been in benefit of statehood, with a higher voter turnout, but no action ended up being taken by Congress to forward the measure that is complex.