www.CostaRicaTicas.com

I asked around the office and on a couple of sports related forums to see what people think. Reliable sources say that the big boys are set and ready to pick up and move operations to a different country. The small books can probably fly under the radar. However, with their process in CR, most feel that somebody will challenge the constitutionality of it and it will get tied up for a while before getting enforced. More jobs to be lost.

There has always been a back up plan for books if something like this happened, but what do they do with all the employees? If these K*ds could actually get organized, a union in CR for Sportsbook employees would have a ton of power. I mean hell, even the hoes marched and got some of what they wanted. I think that it will get held up because there are some very powerful ticos who have interest in books here. I would be surprised if that went into affect any time soon. But like I said, just move us somewhere that I can enjoy the beach.

the DR

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“In the midst of chaos, there is also opportunity"

W/O backup on this, I'm thinking plenty of locales in the world would love to have the opportunity to elicit/solicit these licit operate-anywhere businesses. I cannot fathom the logic of driving these businesses out of CR but see that as an end-product of CR legislatively-driven policies. Dearly love to be wrong in this.

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"A man accustomed to hear only the echo of his own sentiments, soon bars all the common avenues of delight, and has no part in the general gratification of mankind"--Dr. Johnson
"Amen, brother"-ED

A friend of mine who is close to Shelby who owns the Casino Colonial,had dinner with him last week. Shelby told him that even though he owns the most successful Casino in Costa Rica,he is trying to sell the place along with the Sleep Inn in which he is a partner.This is as a result of Pres. Laura's initiative to tax the shit out of the casinos so they can't make any money. She still maintains that closing them will put the putas out of business. (that's a joke)
The bill which has been passed but not in force yet,calls for casinos to pay $432/table/per month in taxes and $72/month for each machine. What really pisses off the owners is that they will then be taxed a percentage of their profits and they get NO write off for what they already paid. She is looking serious in her promise to eliminate the tourism business for SMTs. (single male travelers)
I am told that similar restrictions are being considered for the Sports books. This all reminds me of the traffic violations which can't get into force because they are stupid.

If the taxes are that bad will they get passed the inevitable court challenges? Seems like nothing controversial that changes CR life for better or worse survives.

And if they do, and the taxes are that prohibitive, who is going to buy a marginally profitable biz for anything real, as nice a place as it is? The only way to make it more profitable in that high tax scenario is to mess with the odds, not good for the players.

Sleep Inn, no problem, great American chain hotel, my favorite, and I doubt at all dependent on the casino for guests.

Not to doubt VegasBob, but just curious, I often hear and or read the President is bent on eliminating the things we go to CR for? Has she stated that personally or thru her cabinet or however? We are co-alum's of the same Jesuit U so I am always interested in her.

I am at both places at least once a day

The usual response from any business when a new tax is proposed that effects them. Funny thing is that after the tax is passed they seem to stay in business.

Casinos all over the world are considered y governments to be cash cows that can well afford to give a little milk. Costa Rica is just a little late getting into the game.

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Pura Vida
Only Irish coffee provides in a single glass all four
essential food groups:
alcohol, caffeine, sugar and fat.
Alex Levine

Problem is there are very few people who have the common sense to know
the bull sh** that comes out of a politicians mouth. (You noticed party natural )
They tell you the oil company, the casinos, the banks and any other business needs to pay
it's fair share in taxes.

Let me, let you all in on the dirty little secret. Corps, business never pay any tax.
It is you the poor slob that buys or patrons their business that pays it in the form of
higher costs of goods and services. It is the same old politician three card monte.
Keep you all busy blaming the other guy while they are stealing all the gold to buy votes
and political favor.

Sorry I had to tell you the truth. But like the bandaid, better to rip it off quick.

Just my thoughts.

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May the force be with you my CRT Jedi.

The second worst decision the U.S. Supreme Court ever made was deciding that corporations had the same standing in the law as natural born persons, the first being that some natural born persons were property (and now they want some states to be able to kill the mentally unstable--those never able to control themselves).
Corporations are artificial inventions--of course they themselves never pay taxes. The money they would pay gets bled off in legal and other fees, and of course the money flowing by various channels to the top.
Funny thing how my kind of pleading gets labeled "class warfare" when such warfare in reverse has been going on forever. I expect to be banned for this.
ADD: A recent column from FloridaWeekly: http://fortmyers.floridaweekly.com/news ... ntana.html
Relevant quote on this from the current Governor of Montana: "I'll believe that [that corporations are people] when Texas executes one."

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"A man accustomed to hear only the echo of his own sentiments, soon bars all the common avenues of delight, and has no part in the general gratification of mankind"--Dr. Johnson
"Amen, brother"-ED

I agree with you on the majority of your post.

Only point I make is that we should never tax a corp because it just spanks us
with higher prices. Let the money flow thru the corps and have each individual pay his fair share.
Yes the rich and the 54% who pay no Federal income tax. Also end the days of those 54% that pay no
tax but get money back from IRS. Correction from the rest of us who do pay taxes.

As to the mentally ill it just shows how sick our society has become. My son has Autism and
is one of my greatest joys. Shame we didn't learn from the Cheyenne People. Those that were
touched as they were called then were revered. They also believed the Spirits gave them special
sight in the world. They were treat with love and respect. Not being a collage boy myself I rely
on the wisdom and knowledge of others before me.

Thanks for sharing Jazz.

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May the force be with you my CRT Jedi.

For DGD... It is well known in CR that Laura wants the gambling and prostitution eliminated. Her hotsy totsy constituency put her in office to do it. When Shelby tells a good friend of mine that he is talking to possible buyers before the shit hits the fan.

I have worked with Ticos for years and quite a few have said that Laura,s father lost the family fortune gambling. She really has shown a strong bias against gambling. Reportedly she married into big money, the guy is really really old and really really rich. Hardly ever appears with her although sometimes he is sitting in the background.

She has not done much about prostitution. The recent raids were triggered by Costa Rica being listed as a major country in human trafficing. You know human slavery that sort of thing. Now after the raids they have been removed from the list.

Laura has done nothing for this country. She has not done anything to improve life in Costa Rica for ticos, or foreigners, of which a small percent are us Gringos.

However, seriously, the casino industry needs some regulation, (which she doesn't know how to do). The slot machines in pulperias are run by Chinese gangs. Now, does that scare you?

"Reportedly she married into big money, the guy is really really old and really really rich".

He looks like her father, 20-25 years older maybe. I've seen him. So what's that phrase our brother uses about not meeting "the eye test"? Once a pretty good looking tica, she hooked up with an old tico for pure love, I'm sure, after getting divorced. Not unusual anywhere in the world. But it ain't a whole lot different than a CRT. The president and he do not meet "the eye test." Neither did Jackie and Onassis for that matter.

Edit: from Wikipedia: She was born in '59, he in '34, a lawyer from Spain.

And found unconstitutional by the court.