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Poker license fees on Rota now worth $2K
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Posted on Nov 30 2005
A bill increasing the poker license fee on Rota from $2,000 to $4,000 is now law.
Gov. Juan N. Babauta approved House Local Bill 14-72 on Monday. The measure, is now Rota Local Law 14-7, applies to all poker and pachinko machines in the First Senatorial District.
Babauta, in his transmittal letter to Rota Legislative Delegation chairman Diego M. Songao, made a minor correction on the bill. He noted that the measure mistakenly indicated that it was a local appropriation bill; the measure was a revenue bill.
Rep. Crispin Ogo, author of H.L.B. 14-72, said he was happy with the governor’s action. The new law would generate more funds for the delivery of essential services to the public, he said.
With an estimated 100 registered poker machines, Rota earns approximately $200,000 from poker license fees per year. This is expected to double with the implementation of R.L.L. 14-7.
“This will greatly help our local economy. That’s one thing for sure,” said Ogo, who thanked former Rep. Elejo Mendiola, who initiated the passage of R.L.L. 11-1.
Passed by the 11th Legislature, the old local law established the $2,000 license fee for pachinko slot machines and poker machines in Rota.
For his part, Sen. Songao said the fee increase was appropriate given the poker industry’s reported social impact. He added that the rate hike was not expected to hurt the industry.
“Judging by the number of poker machines available throughout the Commonwealth, the industry is pretty stable. It seems to be a very lucrative business,” he said.
