Belated outrage at gambling movie

A government minister in Costa Rica, home to many online gambling companies, expressed somewhat belated outrage this week regarding the Ben Affleck movie Runner Runner, a Hollywood adventure based around the internet gambling industry.

The publication Inside Costa Rica reported on comments by the minister for Public Security, Celso Gamboa, who has apparently only recently become aware of the film despite its launch last year (see previous reports).

Gamboa feels that the film, which was actually shot in Puerto Rico, portrays Costa Rica in a negative light by featuring crime, violence and corruption in the police force.

The film’s storyline, starring Ben Affleck and Justin Timberlake, follows Princeton grad student and online poker player, “Richie,” who travels to Costa Rica to confront an online gambling tycoon who he believes has swindled him.

“One scene in particular – which depicts Costa Rican police officers behaving less than professionally – has ruffled the feathers of Costa Rica’s Ministry of Public Security,” Inside Costa Rica reports..

“In the scene, Costa Rican police officers – dressed in official uniforms that bear the Fuerza Publica insignia – are seen in the company of prostitutes while drinking and smoking cigars.”

Minister Gamboa complained that unauthorised use of police insignia is unlawful.

“Instead of drawing attention to our country for its flora and fauna, they tarnish the image of our civilian police,” Gamboa told reporters.

“It is a way of telling criminals and drug addicts that Costa Rica is perfect [for such behaviour].  We want this to be fixed because you don’t mock our country.”

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