# Dominican Republic gambling regulation reforms > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/dominican-republic-gambling-regulation-reforms > Updated: 2026-07-29T23:30:03.000Z. Sources: 7. Developments: 2. A draft bill to overhaul gambling rules in the Dominican Republic, which would remove the 500‑metre buffer between betting venues and schools and allow “mini‑casinos,” triggered strong criticism from parents’ groups and legal commentators who warned of increased youth gambling addiction. Within a week, the proposal moved forward: the legislation creating the Dirección General de Juegos passed the Senate and was approved with amendments by the lower house before returning to the upper chamber. Coordinators of the reform process said they would request a comprehensive review of any decisions made outside existing decrees and urged operators to refrain from changing gambling activities while the new framework is finalized. At the same time, Mexico advanced its own gambling‑sector reforms, seeking a public register of casino and online‑betting permits to improve transparency and combat illegal offers. ## Timeline ### 2026-07-29: Dominican Republic and Mexico push new gambling regulation reforms Dominican Republic and Mexico advance gambling reforms: the Dominican Republic plans a review of decisions under a new games law, while Mexico seeks a public permit register to modernise its 1947 gambling code. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/dominican-republic-and-mexico-push-new-gambling-regulation-reforms ### 2026-07-23: Dominican Republic gambling law proposal sparks parental opposition A Dominican Republic draft law would relax gambling venue restrictions, prompting lawyer José Martínez Brito and parental groups to warn of increased addiction risks near schools. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/dominican-republic-gambling-law-proposal-sparks-parental-opposition --- Cite as: Dominican Republic gambling regulation reforms. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/dominican-republic-gambling-regulation-reforms