Dominican Republic Moves to Transform National Lottery Into Autonomous Regulatory Authority

Moreover, the National Lottery Agency has recently developed a new bill that could turn this institution into a decentralized and independent state body with full autonomy regarding finance and administration.

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In case this legislation passes the vote in the Senate, the powers of the organization will dramatically increase, giving it the possibility to control the entire gambling market of the country.

It is necessary to note that the bill, which Senator Pedro Tineo presented, will give the National Lottery the status of the primary regulator of lotteries, betting agencies, casinos, e-games, as well as all kinds of gambling-related activities.

One can argue that this is one of the largest attempts of the Dominican government to regulate the gambling sector since many years ago as the administration tends to increase oversight, control, and regulation over gambling operations in the country.

Centralized Inspection and Supervision Powers of the Government

At present, the National Lottery is controlled and supervised by the Directorate of Casinos and Games of Chance (DCJA), which is a department of the Ministry of Finance and Economy of the country.

As per the new bill, the powers of inspection, regulation, and oversight are proposed to be centralized in the hands of the National Lottery. The initiative came amid attempts of the government to organize and control the gambling industry.

It should be noted that the mentioned bill was proposed a few weeks after the Executive branch activated the National Regularization Plan for lottery shops, betting agencies, and gambling companies as per Decree 197-26.

Thus, the plan aims to support formalization of the sector and elimination of informal gambling businesses.

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Importance of Tax Verification and Regulation Compliance

It should be stressed that, in accordance with the latest developments, the General Directorate of Internal Taxes (DGII) gained a crucial role in monitoring operators’ tax compliance and facilitating inspections.

Meanwhile, the National Lottery got a role in the reformed Advisory Council, which will supervise the plan. What is more, Teófilo Tabar, the administrator of the institution, became a temporary coordinator of the plan, which made the lottery agency play an even larger role in the process of regulating gambling operations.

It means that Tineo’s bill is consistent with the government’s strategy and can become a tool for combating informality, increasing regulatory enforcement, and increasing fiscal income received from the gambling sector.

What Kind of New Duties Does the National Lottery Have?

The passing of Tineo’s bill would imply the assignment of new duties and responsibilities to the National Lottery Agency, such as updating gaming regulations, enhancing inspection and supervision measures, and introducing measures to facilitate operational transparency in the sector.

Moreover, tax evasion and all other irregular activities of unregulated lottery companies and gambling agencies will remain priority targets of the government.

The bill comes amidst other attempts of the Dominican administration to strengthen control over the gambling sector in the form of Resolution 184-2026 of the Ministry of Finance and Economy. The document introduces new rules of Responsible Gambling and initiates the creation of the National Self-Exclusion System.

As for casinos, lottery shops, sports betting organizations, and e-gaming platforms, there are new requirements for them in the form of the implementation of self-exclusion instruments, deposit limits, and improved access restrictions.

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Source: SBC Noticias