The legislation creates an independent regulator, introduces online gambling rules and imposes a ten-year moratorium on most new venues
The Dominican Republic has moved closer to replacing its fragmented gambling legislation with a unified regulatory framework covering land-based and online operations.
The Senate accepted, in a single reading, the amendments introduced by the Chamber of Deputies to the Gambling Act proposed by senators Pedro Catrain and Félix Ramón Bautista. With both chambers having approved the same text, the legislation can proceed to the Executive Branch for promulgation.
The bill consolidates and modernises the rules governing casinos, lottery outlets, sportsbooks, horse racing, bingo, slot machines and online betting platforms.
New independent gambling regulator
One of the central provisions is the creation of the General Directorate of Gambling, known as the DGJA, as the country’s principal regulatory authority.
Article 8 establishes the DGJA as an autonomous and decentralised state body with legal personality and administrative, financial and technical independence. It will be responsible for regulating, supervising and inspecting the gambling industry.
The regulator will have a collegiate leadership structure intended to safeguard its independence from the businesses it supervises. It will also be authorised to act as an intermediary between lottery outlet licence holders and concessionaires.
The legislation introduces enforceable requirements concerning the protection of minors, responsible gambling, technological controls and the location of gambling establishments.
Breaches may result in fines, temporary suspension, venue closures, licence revocation, disqualification of administrators and, in certain cases, imprisonment.
Félix Ramón Bautista, Senator of the Dominican Republic, said:
“The new law establishes a comprehensive regime for internet betting and gambling, the fastest-growing segment of the industry and one that the existing legislation, conceived decades before these platforms existed, does not address.”
Distance requirements for gambling venues
Under Article 26, gambling establishments may not operate within 500 metres of schools, universities, churches, hospitals, military facilities, childcare centres, government buildings and other protected locations.
A minimum separation of 500 metres will also apply between sportsbooks and horse-racing agencies, while lottery outlets must remain at least 200 metres apart. Casinos are exempt from these distance restrictions.
The legislation also regulates the relocation of gambling establishments, including exceptions for cases of force majeure.
Ten-year casino licences
Article 47 states that casinos may operate only under a DGJA licence valid for ten years. They must be located in hotels rated four stars or higher.
Slot-machine halls within casinos will require an additional licence with the same ten-year validity period.
The legislation classifies administrative violations as minor, serious or very serious. Sanctions will cover breaches involving licences, advertising, location restrictions, reporting, technological controls, illegal gambling and anti-money laundering obligations.
Moratorium on new gambling venues
Once the register of existing licensees has been published, the authorities will impose a ten-year moratorium on new licences for gambling establishments.
The restriction will not apply to casinos operating in hotels and designated tourism areas. Existing operators will also be able to enter a regularisation process under the procedures established by the new law.
Ramón Rogelio Genao, Senator of the Dominican Republic, said:
“This is a law for the country that will impose rules on a sector operating as a lawless free-for-all. The law now establishes procedures for regularisation.”
Senators question expedited approval
The proposal was not originally included on the Senate’s agenda. It was added after the Finance Committee issued a favourable report.
Several senators opposed its immediate approval and argued that the bill should return to committee for further examination. Senator Alexis Victoria Yeb was among those who maintained that legislation of this scope required more detailed analysis before a final vote.
