The gaming landscape in Puerto Rico is undergoing a massive transformation defined by simultaneous digital innovation and strict regulatory enforcement. The Lottery of Puerto Rico has officially entered the digital age with the launch of Lotería Móvil PR, a new web-based application designed to bring traditional lottery games into a virtual environment.
Created by Puerto Rican entrepreneurs Julián Soto and Karlos Miranda, the app allows users to purchase official lottery products, check results, and manage account balances without visiting a physical retailer. The system operates on a hybrid model: when a user places a digital bet, the Lotería Móvil PR team purchases a physical ticket at a point of sale on their behalf, emailing a scanned copy to the user.
Karlos Miranda highlighted the app’s convenience in an interview with El Vocero:
“Now the player can place their bet from anywhere on the Island. They can check their plays and learn about prizes directly from the palm of their hand, without diverting to a point of sale.”
Crackdown on Illegal Slots
While modernizing the lottery, the government is also tightening its grip on unregulated gaming. On January 22, 2026, a new regulation empowered the Government Gaming Commission and the Puerto Rico Police to confiscate slot machines operating without a license.
The new rules establish clear protocols for the custody and disposal of illegal machines. Violators face severe penalties, including up to six months in prison, fines of up to US$10,000, and the revocation of other gaming permits.
Juan Carlos Santaella Marchán, Executive Director of the Gaming Commission, emphasized the necessity of these measures:
“The enactment of this regulation responds to an obligation imposed by law and reaffirms our commitment to executing clear, fair, and uniform enforcement processes.”
This dual strategy, facilitating legal play through tech while aggressively policing the black market, marks a new era of transparency and control for Puerto Rico’s gaming sector.
