Dominican Republic President Luis Abinader has introduced a new bill to the senate that aims to overhaul gambling regulation in the country.
The proposal calls for the creation of a new regulatory body, the Dirección General de Juegos de Azar (DGJA), or General Directorate of Games of Chance, under the Ministry of Finance.
The DGJA would serve as an autonomous public entity responsible for overseeing all forms of gambling, including online platforms, casinos, sports betting, lottery draws, slot arcades, and bingo. It remains uncertain whether this authority will replace the existing regulator, the Directorate of Casinos and Gambling, which faced criticism following a scandal involving an $8.5 million lottery fraud in 2021.
According to the draft legislation, the DGJA would be given broad enforcement powers, such as conducting investigations, imposing sanctions, and ensuring tax compliance. The process of issuing penalties would involve an internal inquiry, a review by the Technical Council, and final approval by presidential decree.
The DGJA would also introduce new licensing and taxation rules. For instance, only four-star or higher-rated hotels could operate casinos, with license terms set at five years. Casino taxes would vary based on the number of gaming tables, while slot machines would be limited to specific venues and subject to a 5% gross income tax.
Physical gambling locations would also face new zoning rules. Lottery kiosks couldn’t be set up within 200 meters of schools, hospitals, churches, or government buildings. Sports betting locations would face a stricter 500-meter restriction. These limits aim to protect vulnerable communities and reduce the social risks of gambling.
The bill also includes prison sentences of up to 10 years for serious violations, along with detailed compliance guidelines for money laundering prevention, consumer protection, and game integrity, especially for digital formats.
The proposal is still in its early stages and will likely go through revisions before final approval.
