Key Moments:
- Bill 6645 introduces severe penalties for unauthorized slot machine operations in neighborhood shops.
- Offenders face immediate shop closures, tax fines, and prison terms ranging from five to ten years.
- The legislative proposal is designed to protect minors and reinforces tax compliance in gambling activities.
Criminal Code Reform Targets Informal Gambling Hubs
Guatemala is considering comprehensive changes to its Criminal Code to counter the spread of slot machines and unofficial gambling venues within local retail stores. Bill 6645, brought forward by Fidencio Lima, president of the Governance Commission of the Congress, aims to enforce criminal penalties, financial fines, and operational bans against businesses that run gambling machines, prioritizing the welfare of minors.
According to the provisions, authorities can immediately shut down establishments operating slot machines in violation of the law. Those allowing minors to participate risk imprisonment for five years. Furthermore, disguising gambling machines as toys would be classified as tax evasion, with violators subject to both a fine amounting to twice the evaded tax and imprisonment ranging from five to ten years. The legislative changes intentionally focus on informal locations that evade current casino regulations.
Social Concerns Drive Legislative Action
The origins of Bill 6645 trace back to Cobán, Alta Verapaz, where local leaders noticed a surge in slot machines appearing in convenience stores. Governor Dilia Margarita Có Coy raised the issue with Deputy Lima, emphasizing the negative consequences unregulated gambling has caused, such as financial distress for families and cases of children leaving school to gamble.
Deputy Lima underlined the gaps in existing law, which only governs formal casinos, stating: “Some neighborhood stores have basically become casinos“, Lima said, highlighting the importance of careful legal guidance.
Safeguarding Public Interests with Enhanced Regulation
The bill’s main goal is to strengthen protections for children, reinforce social order, and guarantee the legal collection of gambling-related taxes. By criminalizing tax evasion in gambling and imposing strict consequences on those enabling underage gambling, lawmakers aim to curb associated social harms and prevent further losses among vulnerable groups.
If enacted, this reform would represent a significant step for Guatemala in regulating gambling at the local level, balancing effective enforcement with community and fiscal concerns. Bill 6645 reflects a proactive response to the country’s growing problem of unregulated gambling in small stores, enhancing regulatory tools to address compliance, youth safety, and illegal activity.
Summary of Legal Measures: Bill 6645
| Provision | Penalty |
|---|---|
| Illegal operation of slot machines in stores | Immediate shop closure |
| Allowing minors to use gambling machines | 5 years imprisonment |
| Gambling equipment disguised as toys (tax evasion) | Fine of double the evaded tax and 5-10 years imprisonment |
- Author
Daniel Williams
