– Similar to most nations outside and within Central America, the minimum gambling age in Puerto Rico is 18 years. However, some casinos stick to 21 years of age to maintain a reasonably mature crowd.
– As of 2016, Puerto Rico has a population of 3.41 million.
– The earliest evidence of gambling in Puerto Rica dates back to the 15th century.
– Cockfighting and dogfighting were illegal in Puerto Rico in 1898. In 1933, they were made legal but today, they are both illegal. At that time, there were 125 cockfighting venues in the length and breadth of Puerto Rico.
– Horse racing was made legal in 1910 by Spaniards. Off-track horse racing facilities were made legal in 1956.
– Bingo and similar games were made legal in 1950.
– Charitable gaming is popular in Puerto Rico, and only churches and other non-profit organisations are allowed to provide it. Concurrently, the organisation must be 10 years or older.
– In Puerto Rico, unregulated gambling activities (such as slot machines, horse racing, car racing, and sports betting) are considered illegal, not unregulated.
– The United States dollar (US$) is the official currency.
– Puerto Rico is home to a whole lot of ATMs, available at various gambling facilities.
– Most Puerto Ricans are fluent in both English and Spanish. So, the Caribbean territory is friendly to international visitors.
– Puerto Rico is considered a United States Commonwealth. Therefore, Puerto Ricans are native to the United States and require no passport to visit the United States (or vice versa).
– Picas is a form of small-stakes gaming native to Puerto Rico. Picas and other small-stakes games were made legal in 1927.
– The Puerto Rico Lottery was introduced by the King of Spain in 1814. However, it was not officially instituted until 1934. Finally, in 1947, it was established, legalised and regulated.
– According to the Casino and Gambling Act, every casino must be sustained on a space provided by a resort, cruise ship or hotel.
– While other forms of gambling are regulated by the Gaming Division of the Puerto Rico Tourism Company, the Administración de la Industria y el Deporte Hípico regulates horse racing wagers and video lottery terminals in Puerto Rico.
