Casinos in Costa Rica will pay 10% on net profits, while the tax for betting call centers will vary depending on number of employees.
Regarding the tax for call centers, an article in Nacion.com notes that "When the firm has up to 50 employees, the tax will be will be 57 times a basic salary (¢20.5 million), those with 51 to 99 employees will pay 85 times a basic salary (¢30.6 million) and if there are more than 100 employees, the tax is 113 times a basic salary (¢40.6 million). "
The veto of the President of Panama on bill 421 was partial, without objecting to the part concerning taxation of slot machine rooms.
A statement from the Presidency of Panama reads:
In a note sent to the president of the National Assembly, Hector Aparicio, from the President of the Republic, Ricardo Martinelli he informed him of his decision to veto partially – for being inappropriate - Bill No.
"We are watching with amazement, how there are attempts to increase taxes on highly productive activities, while lowering rates for gambling," said Federico Humbert Arias, President of the Chamber of Commerce, Industries and Agriculture in Panama.
A statement from the Chamber of Commerce, Industries and Agriculture in Panama reads:
The bill to regulate activities of casinos and electronic gambling venues will decide taxes based on the number of tables, machines or personnel involved.
The new text approved by the Financial Affairs Committee sets a tax of $300 per table for establishments that operate a maximum of 10 hours daily and $500 for those over 10 hours.
For machines the amount would be $40 for 10 hours of daily operation and $80 in the case of those with extended hours.
The Nicaraguan congress has approved on the whole, a special law for the control and regulation of casinos and game rooms.
The bill, which will be discussed by the Assembly in detail (item by item) from Wednesday 25 May, will create a regulatory framework and establish a governing body.
The first secretary of the Parliament, a liberal opposition member Wilfredo Navarro, told Reuters, "...
The regulation of the gaming industry could make the Treasury $132 million in two years.
The bill that was discussed in Congress would "create a monthly tax of 3% on the activity at betting parlors, casinos, video lottery, bingo or games of chance, which could be deducted from the taxable income tax (ISR ) by the taxpayer. " according to an article in Elperiodico.com.gt. by Lorena Alvarez.
If the bill presented to the Legislative Assembly is successful, a 15% tax will be levied on casinos' gross earning.
The previous government's proposal also includes an annual charge of $50,000 payable by electronic betting houses located in the Costa Rican national territory.
"It also seeks to charge both sectors a 0.5% annual payment for operating in the country.
Bill being prepared that would legalize gaming rooms in order to collect taxes and control money laundering.
Games of chance are currently prohibited in Guatemala, with the exception of authorized lotteries. However, though prohibited, they are still played and represent approximately $125,000 worth of annual money laundering, says Rosa María de Frade, member of the Guatemalan Economy Committee according to an article by Suseth Casasola in Sigloxxi.com.
A project sponsored by the government foresees a 2% raw income tax to casinos and electronic betting operations.
The proposal will oversee operation and control of casinos and electronic betting centers.
From Nacion.com: "Jorge Hidalgo, vice president of the Costa Rican Casinos Association, said that they support more regulation, but assured that the 2% raw income tax is way too high."