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

Ninety-seven percent of those that chose to vote favored the unincorporated US territory being a full-fledged member of the union as the 51st state, but some 77 percent associated with the populace chose to ignore the referendum altogether.

Anti-statehood opposition parties officially boycotted the referendum on the grounds it was ‘rigged’ in favor of statehood, or more they claim. Nevertheless, according to the ruling Partido Nuevo Progresista (PNP) celebration, the social people have actually spoken.

‘This result is plenty of to take to Washington and urge Congress to do the thing that is right’ Luis Rivera Marín, PNP secretary of state, told great britain’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 technique, if you don’t vote, you don’t count.’

Casino Industry Hit Hard

Puerto Rico has been gripped by an enervating recession over the past decade, which has affected its once thriving tourism and casino industries both. The island has 12 main gambling enterprises, most of which are based inside resort properties, but a handful have closed down in recent years.

Of late, the El San Juan Hotel announced it would not be reopening its casino facilities following an extensive renovation in February, due to ‘challenging financial and industry dynamics,’ in the future, hotel executives said although it may choose to reopen it.

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

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

Greater Expenses, But Lower Fees

Presently, residents of the island are only required to pay income that is federal on money attained on the united states mainland. With meals already 22 per cent more expensive than in the continental United States, and public services 64 % greater, additional fees would be a burden on a struggling populace.

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

Many Puerto Ricans opposed Sunday’s referendum on the grounds that it would cost millions and would likely achieve very little.

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