The possibility of resuming the business of companies dedicated to casinos and games of chance in Ecuador and the advantages and disadvantages that this activity will bring to the country are still the subject of analysis by domestic and foreign experts, who even compare the case with others in Ecuador. region. .

The problem of casinos is being brought up again after thirteen years, when in 2011 their activity was banned in the country following the results of a public consultation. Now the President of the Republic, Daniel Noboa, has included in the questions of the second plebiscite that the Constitutional Court must analyze the probability of re-allowing these jobs. The regime’s argument is based on the creation of jobs through this type of activity. After the closure of these companies, an estimated 25,000 jobs were lost.

The creation of 20,000 jobs against the risk of money laundering ignites the debate about the possible return of casinos

However, there is talk of a risk that these companies will be used for money laundering due to their nature of dealing with cash. For Albert Acosta Burne, Editor weekly analysis, This argument is “absurd”, as he comments that there are other activities where money is also laundered, even more so than casinos. “The building is also a money laundering center; Namely, more resources are laundered in construction than in any other activity, and that is why we will not ban construction in the country… We can also say that assets are laundered through the financial system, shall we ban the financial system? It doesn’t make any sense.”

Hugo Acero, a Colombian security expert who has advised several entities in Ecuador, agrees with Acosta, noting that it’s not just casinos that are used to launder money. It recognizes that this is an activity in which there is a high risk of laundering and points out that in other countries it has been proven that many casinos are fronts for laundering sources of criminal income, such as drug trafficking, illegal mining, human trafficking, smuggling, arms trafficking , extortion, kidnapping and various forms of theft, but he also states that resources are not only laundered through casinos, “they also do it through some churches, selling and buying cars, real estate deals, among other things. .” .

Acero points out that if the operation of casinos is approved in Ecuador, there should be a special trade regulation with which state control over the entry and management of resources could be carried out, especially through investigative units for public finances.

“In this area, laws and regulations on money laundering must be updated, taking into account some international experiences, such as the United States, Spain, Italy, the United Kingdom and some countries in the Latin American region,” recommends the Colombian expert.

The return of casinos to Ecuador, Daniel Noboa’s popular consultancy proposes to create jobs, since 25,000 jobs were lost after the closure

Acosta, for his part, explains that it is necessary to formalize the activity that is carried out in Ecuador anyway, but in an informal way, without paying taxes to the state treasury and without regulation. “Once formalized, that’s exactly what keeps them from going under the government’s radar.” It also refers to the benefits of the activity, which at the time created about 25,000 jobs, which for Acosta is “nothing insignificant”, in addition to generating tax payments and revenue for the state treasury.

This is how casinos are regulated in Colombia

When it comes to formalization, Acero refers to the Colombian case citing Law 643 of 2011, which regulates casinos and physical and gambling games. on the line in a neighboring country. This standard defines the different types of games that casinos can offer, as well as the conditions for their operation in Colombia. Likewise, responsible gambling policies are administered, which include prohibition criteria and measures necessary for operators to avoid gambling addiction (pathological addiction to electronic games or gambling).

Acero also refers to the publication of the Colombian media Economía Medios, which explains the legal framework of these businesses in that country.

The law states that in order to establish and operate a casino in Colombia, a license issued by Coljuegos must be processed., regulatory authority in a neighboring country. To obtain a license, you must meet several requirements that vary depending on the type of casino and the size of the business.

Operational requirements include:

Regarding the taxation of the casino industry in Colombia, the law establishes that operators must pay tax on the gross income generated by their gaming activities. The benefits that the state receives as a result of these payments are intended to finance the health, education and sports sectors through the Business Fund for games of chance and happiness.

There is also supervision by the authorities, in this case Coljuegos, which conducts periodic audits and checks to ensure that casinos comply with established requirements and standards. Unannounced operator inspections are carried out to guarantee the integrity and transparency of the games, thus avoiding fraud and manipulation.

In case they find any case of non-compliance, Coljuegos has the power to impose sanctions such as fines and even revocation of the license to operate. In this way, they ensure that casinos operate responsibly, within the established legal limits.

‘Allowing the casino is a measure of justice for the closure of 2011.’

Returning to Ecuador, Acosta points out that if this activity were allowed in the country, it would be a measure of justice for what happened in 2011, despite the fact that the decision came from the majority through popular consultation. What happened thirteen years ago was for the analyst an “abuse of the rule of law”, noting that the majority cannot stop productive activity just because they don’t like it.

In that popular consultation on May 7, 2011, 45.76% of Ecuadorians said yes to abolishing games of chance.

Ecuador without gambling from today, but with more unemployed

“This activity does not harm others. The majority cannot decide on the life and property of other citizens. This cannot happen, as if we are going to another consultation tomorrow because we don’t like shoe production and want to abolish it, it seems something so absurd, but it is equally absurd to believe that the majority can violate the rights of citizens,” says Acosta.