Aruba Lottery Launches New 'Three of a Kind' Instacash Game

Aruba's Minister of Housing, Infrastructure, Internal Services, and Telecommunications, Rene Herdé, attended the official groundbreaking ceremony for the Battery Energy Storage System II (BESS II) project, led by WEB Aruba. The event marked a significant milestone in Aruba's ongoing push toward energy independence and sustainability. BESS II is a large-scale battery storage initiative designed to store renewable energy and reduce the island's reliance on fossil fuels. Minister Herdé stated that the project transforms Aruba's long-held energy ambitions into tangible reality. The project aligns with Aruba's broader goal of achieving 100% renewable energy, a target the island has been working toward for over a decade. WEB Aruba, the island's main utility provider, is leading the implementation of the system. The BESS II project is expected to significantly strengthen grid stability and expand the capacity to integrate wind and solar energy into Aruba's power supply.

Aruba's national lottery, Lotto, announced the launch of a new scratch card game called 'Three of a Kind,' the latest addition to its Instacash family of instant-win games. The announcement was made on Friday, September 25. The game joins an existing lineup of Instacash products already available to players across the island. Instacash games are popular for offering immediate results, appealing to players who prefer instant gratification over traditional draw-based lotteries. The introduction of a new title suggests Lotto is actively expanding its product offerings to maintain player engagement and grow its customer base in Aruba.

Frans Ponson, president of the United Merchants of Aruba (CUA), issued a sharp public criticism on Friday morning over the government's failure to enforce existing laws and regulations, particularly against Aruba's growing informal market. Ponson argued that businesses operating within the legal framework — paying taxes, licenses, and fees — are being economically punished because authorities are not holding informal vendors and operators to the same standards. The unchecked informal market creates an uneven playing field, allowing non-compliant operators to undercut legitimate businesses on price. CUA's concern is that continued inaction signals to the market that compliance is optional, potentially discouraging future investment and formal business registration. Ponson called on authorities to strengthen enforcement mechanisms and ensure consistent application of the law across all market participants. The criticism highlights a longstanding tension between Aruba's formal commercial sector and the expanding informal economy, which has grown more visibly in recent years.