Dominican Republic to Establish New Gambling Regulator — DGJA
The Dominican Ministry of Finance has introduced a bill to create the General Directorate for Gambling (DGJA), which will be granted authority to oversee all forms of gambling — including the online sector. Read more.
The New Bill: Objectives and Scope
President Luis Abinader has submitted a proposal aimed at regulating, taxing, and preventing money laundering in the gambling industry. The legislation includes the creation of the DGJA as a centralized regulatory body.
The bill covers 15 types of gambling activities, including:
- Casinos
- Lottery banks
- Sports betting
- Slot machines
- Raffles and bingo
- Online gambling
The DGJA will be responsible for issuing licenses, enforcing tax compliance, and applying administrative or criminal penalties for violations.
Requirements for Casinos and Sports Betting
To operate legally, casinos must meet the following criteria:
- Be located within hotels rated 4 stars or higher
- Pay a monthly tax of RD$55,853 to RD$85,927 per gaming table
- 5% gross revenue tax on slot machine earnings
Requirements for sports betting operators include:
- Minimum distance of 500 meters between outlets
- Prohibited in rural areas
- Annual tax: RD$386,673 (urban), RD$257,782 (rural)
- Initial registration fee: RD$794,414
- Additional 1% gross revenue tax monthly
Bans and Restrictions
The bill outlines several prohibitions:
- Slot machines are banned in convenience stores and entertainment venues
- Allowed only in casinos, 3-star+ hotels, and licensed betting shops
- Penalties: up to 400 minimum wages or prison sentences up to 10 years
Licensing is also denied to individuals or entities involved in:
- Fraud
- Money laundering
- Health-related offenses within the past 4 years
Online Gambling: Taxation and Oversight
The following rules apply to online gambling operators:
- 10% monthly sales tax
- Until the launch of a digital control platform: mandatory monthly payment of RD$5 million
- Non-payment may result in domain suspension
Tax Overview by Gambling Format
| Type | Tax / Fee | Additional Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Casinos | 5% on slots; RD$55,853–85,927/month per table | Only in 4★+ hotels |
| Sportsbooks | 1% of sales; RD$794,414 registration fee | 500m minimum between shops; not allowed in rural zones |
| Lotteries | RD$60,149/year + 1% of sales | At least 200m from schools, hospitals, churches |
| Online Gambling | 10% of sales or RD$5M/month | Until control platform is operational |
| Bingo | 10% of sales | Location-based restrictions apply |
Additional Measures
Other key requirements include:
- A warning message “Jugar compulsivamente afecta tu salud” (“Compulsive gambling harms your health”) must be displayed at all entrances
- Implementation of a Unified Registration System for players and operators
- Enforcement of cybersecurity and protection of minors
What’s Next?
The bill has been submitted to the Senate and is currently under review by the relevant committee. It’s still unclear whether the DGJA will replace the existing DCJA or operate alongside it, but the Dominican Republic is taking clear steps toward modernizing its gambling regulation framework.