I can’t say I’m surprised at the government’s knee-jerk reaction to the possibility that Russian investors are coming to Costa Rica and setting up a casino and hotel. The government here seems to love swinging the pendulum from one extreme to another — from fairly open regulations to draconian arbitrary rules that are sure to face court challenges and rampant non-compliance. I suppose North American and European countries are the specialists at slowly and gradually adjusting the legal dial until they get what they want.
If Costa Rica doesn’t want investors that are possibly tied to the Russian mafia, they should fish for a reason to deny their casino permits like they seem to do to the rest of us. I’m sure a good one will be found — maybe within the scope of anti-money laundering regulations.
Punishing the entire casino industry, plunging thousands of local jobs into uncertainty, is not the way to go. Such abrupt and arbitrary actions by the executive branch, bypassing the legislative system, without even the inkling of foresight needed to add a grandfather clause, gives Costa Rica a poor image to tourists and foreign investors bringing their much-needed funds to this country.
Imagine the plight of the casino-bound U.S. tourist choosing to return to Costa Rica in part because he liked the casinos down here. He’s not going to check on how much local laws have changed before booking his trip, because frankly he can’t imagine that some countries allow their laws to take brutal 180-degree turns. When he comes down and realizes that casinos are now only open for a few hours per day, he’ll ponder what changes are in store for his next trip to Costa Rica, and pick a more reasonable place to visit — not to mention tell his friends.
All this to keep a few Russians out of town. Talk about throwing out the baby with the bathwater!
Story by Jeff Alami
