# Dominican Republic gambling regulation and protection laws > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/dominican-republic-gambling-regulation-legislation > Updated: 2026-09-09T17:58:11.000Z. Sources: 64. Developments: 5. Legislative efforts in the Dominican Republic to regulate gambling and lottery activities have progressed toward stricter oversight and consumer protection. Following previous discussions regarding taxation and a 10-year moratorium on new licenses, the Chamber of Deputies has approved new measures specifically targeting the protection of minors and the prevention of addiction. To protect minors, the law now mandates that online betting operators verify user identities and age in real-time by cross-referencing biometric data and civil registries with the Junta Central Electoral (JCE) database, replacing previous self-declaration methods. To combat gambling addiction, the legislation introduces a National Self-Exclusion Registry. This free service allows individuals to voluntarily prohibit themselves from accessing gambling venues and digital accounts nationwide for a minimum of six months. Operators are legally required to check this registry before allowing access, opening accounts, or paying prizes, and are prohibited from targeting registered individuals with advertising or bonuses. Additionally, establishments are banned from offering credit to players. The bill also seeks to centralize oversight by establishing the General Directorate of Gambling (DGJA) under the Ministry of Finance. This body will unify regulations currently managed by the Ministry of Finance, the General Directorate of Internal Taxes, and the Public Ministry. To deter illegal activity, the law establishes penalties of up to 10 years in prison for operating unauthorized gambling establishments, such as those found in local grocery stores (colmados). ## Claims - The Chamber of Deputies approved a gambling bill. (corroborated by 4 sources) - The bill prohibits the issuance of new gambling licenses for ten years. (corroborated by 3 sources) - Casinos located in hotels and tourist areas are exempt from the ten-year moratorium. (corroborated by 3 sources) - The investigation involves a suspected embezzlement exceeding RD$ 108 million affecting the company Falcondo. (corroborated by 3 sources) - The criminal structure negatively impacted institutions including Inaipi, Senasa, and electricity distributors EdeNorte, EdeEste, and EdeSur. (corroborated by 3 sources) - Preliminary hearings for the defendants in Operación Lobo were scheduled to begin this Monday. (corroborated by 3 sources) - The new gambling law requires identity verification via the JCE database to prevent minor access. (corroborated by 3 sources) - There are more than 71,000 registered lottery and sports betting outlets in the country. (corroborated by 2 sources) - The bill allows for special tax debt discounts for operators who register by December 2025. (corroborated by 2 sources) ## Timeline ### 2026-09-09: Dominican Republic Chamber of Deputies approves new gambling regulation bill The Dominican Republic's Chamber of Deputies approved a gambling bill creating a national self-exclusion registry and establishing up to 10 years in prison for operating illegal gambling machines. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/dominican-republic-chamber-of-deputies-approves-new-gambling-regulation-bill ### 2026-09-06: Dominican Republic: Operación Lobo hearings begin and new gambling laws passed Dominican Republic authorities begin hearings for Operación Lobo, a major corruption case, while new gambling laws mandate JCE identity verification to prevent minor access to betting. 44 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/police-arrest-wanted-individuals-in-argentina-and-paraguay ### 2026-08-30: Dominican Republic proposes 10-year gambling license moratorium The Dominican Republic is considering a law to freeze new gambling licenses for ten years to regulate and register the existing market of thousands of lottery and sports betting outlets. 15 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/dominican-republic-gambling-bill-proposes-10-year-license-moratorium ### 2026-08-21: Dominican Republic deputies modify gambling regulation bill The Dominican Republic's Chamber of Deputies modified a gambling regulation bill, halving the tax on electronic lotteries and removing a 1% gross sales levy before returning it to the Senate. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/dominican-republic-deputies-modify-gambling-regulation-bill ### 2026-08-09: Dominican Republic bill proposes increasing lottery shop distance limits A bill in the Dominican Republic proposes increasing the minimum distance between lottery shops and schools, churches, and hospitals from 200 to 500 meters. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/dominican-republic-bill-proposes-increasing-lottery-shop-distance-limits --- Cite as: Dominican Republic gambling regulation and protection laws. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/dominican-republic-gambling-regulation-legislation