Puerto Rico doubles slot revenue during 2021 second half

The revenue collected from slot machines operating in Puerto Rico's casinos doubled during the second half of 2021, with the consequent positive impact on funds for the University of Puerto Rico, the Tourism Company, the Tourism Industry Development Fund, and the Treasury Department.

In the six months reviewed, which also correspond to the first quarter of the fiscal year 2021-22, the total raised was just over $1,224 million, which exceeded by 108% the $595 million collected during the same period in 2020, a variation of $629.2 million.  

According to the data provided by the Puerto Rico Gaming Commission in its half-year report, the gross income after the payment of the corresponding prizes was $179 million. This figure is 99.69% higher than the previous year's income, which amounted to $89.6 million, an increase of $89.4 million. After deducting casinos' operating expenses, which amounted to $14.1 million, the total revenue was $165 million.

Group A (casinos) received $83.5 million, while Group B (government agencies) received $81.4 million. The largest share went to the University of Puerto Rico with $37 million, followed by the Tourism Company with $21 million, the Treasury Department with $12.4 million, and the Tourism Industry Development Fund with $11.1 million.