Gambling bill proposes 10-year ban on new betting establishments in Dominican Republic

Santo Domingo.- The gambling bill approved by the Chamber of Deputies establishes a 10-year moratorium on new licenses for gambling establishments nationwide, with an exception for casinos located in hotels and tourist areas.

The measure, contained in Article 191, responds to the large number of existing betting businesses. According to official data cited in the bill, the country has more than 71,000 registered lottery and sports betting shops.

The proposed moratorium seeks to give authorities time to strengthen oversight and complete the regularization, registration and verification of existing operators before allowing further expansion of the sector.

The legislation also establishes a special discount regime for outstanding taxes and fees accumulated through December 2025, provided operators complete the required regularization and registration process.

In addition, Article 190 extends the registration period for lottery banks, sales points, agencies and betting establishments covered by the regularization plan established under Decree 197-26.

Casinos in hotels and tourist areas would remain exempt from the moratorium. Under the bill, casinos could only operate in four-star or higher hotels, placing them under a differentiated regulatory framework based on formal investment and greater oversight.

The legislation also specifies that the new rules will not affect existing licenses or acquired rights. Current operators would retain the right to renew their licenses for periods equivalent to their original duration, subject to technical evaluations and compliance with regulatory requirements.

The measure would therefore focus primarily on controlling future expansion while authorities complete the process of organizing and supervising the existing gambling sector.