Dominican Republic gambling bill faces alleged payment claims

Dominican civic organisation Fundación Primero Justicia has called for an investigation into alleged payments intended to secure approval of the country’s proposed gambling law, while warning that the legislation could lead to the regularisation of thousands of lottery betting shops.

Fundación Primero Justicia went to Congress on 26 August to oppose the bill, which it referred to as the proposed new Lottery Law, and called on the Senate to reject it. The organisation also asked the Attorney General’s Office to investigate information it said pointed to the alleged movement of large sums of money to accelerate the bill’s approval.

The foundation did not establish that payments had been made. Instead, it called for an investigation into the allegations and questioned why executives of concessionary companies had, in its view, appeared confident that the legislation would enter into force despite still requiring completion of the legislative process and presidential promulgation.

Fundación Primero Justicia also argued that the bill could facilitate the registration of up to 40,000 lottery betting shops, including in areas close to schools and residential zones. It said the measure could regularise large numbers of shops currently operating outside the rules and benefit a limited group of concessionaires. The organisation also warned of potential social consequences, particularly for children and young people.

Fundación Primero Justicia president Miguel Surún Hernández called on the Attorney General’s Office to investigate claims that large sums of money may have been used to secure support for the bill. He said that, if payments to legislators to promote the proposal were proven, they could amount to a criminal offence.

The bill is currently being considered by the Senate after the Chamber of Deputies approved an amended version in July. The Senate had resumed examination of the legislation in August, with its Finance Commission reviewing the changes made by the lower house.

The proposed Law on Games of Chance (Ley de Juegos de Azar) would impose a 10-year moratorium on new licences for lottery betting shops and other gambling establishments, with an exception for casinos forming part of new hotel projects.

The measure also introduces tougher penalties for illegal gambling and would establish a new autonomous regulator, the General Directorate of Games of Chance (DGJA).

The legislation would also impose location restrictions. Betting premises generally could not operate within 500 metres of schools, hospitals and churches, while the minimum distance for lottery betting shops would be 200 metres. The bill would also introduce a 10% tax on gross sales from online games and establish a unified betting registry to strengthen oversight and anti-money laundering controls.

The government’s stated objective is to bring the country’s large betting-shop market under greater control. Official figures cited in the legislation put the number of registered lottery betting shops at more than 71,000. The government reactivated a national regularisation programme in March 2026 to verify, formalise and formally tax lottery betting shops and other gambling operators.