Dominican Republic’s new gambling regulator has prohibited the opening of new betting shops and lottery outlets as authorities begin consolidating oversight of the sector.
The General Directorate of Gambling, known as the DGJA, issued two resolutions on 13 October. These measures introduce new administrative requirements, encourage non-compliant businesses to close voluntarily and strengthen the regulator’s ability to investigate operators.
New Resolution Blocks Betting Shops, Lottery Agencies And Unauthorised Machines
Resolution 01-2026 prohibits the opening of new lottery banks, agencies and other gambling establishments.
It also bans the installation of lottery vending machines in locations where they are not permitted under existing law. Businesses that breach the rules may face sanctions extending beyond the individual premises to associated establishments and lottery draws linked to the operator.
The DGJA has urged businesses operating outside the new requirements to close voluntarily. Authorities warned that enforcement action could affect connected businesses and other parts of an operator’s commercial network.
DGJA Can Investigate Operators Following Complaints Without Prior Inspections
The new authority will be able to begin investigations on its own initiative or after receiving documented complaints.
Also, the DGJA has ordered the creation of a complaints system covering unpaid prizes, fraudulent practices, unauthorised establishments and other potential violations. This process gives customers and other parties a formal route to report suspected breaches.
Investigations will not require a prior on-site inspection before proceedings begin. Hence, the regulator can act on documented information while deciding whether further inspections or enforcement measures are necessary.
Operators Have 30 Days To Report Irregular Establishments And Licensing Issues
Resolution 02-2026 gives operators 30 calendar days to report establishments created irregularly outside the timeframe established by the country’s regularisation plan. Businesses can also submit information about premises offering multiple forms of gambling that may require separate licences or operating permits.
Data collected through the regularisation and information-update process may be transferred provisionally to the General Directorate of Internal Taxes. This links gambling-sector registration with tax oversight and gives authorities a clearer record of betting shops, lottery points, sports betting outlets and other operators.
The resolution also creates a technical analysis and conciliation committee to address disputes arising during the regularisation process.
New Gambling Authority Centralises Licensing, Inspections And Enforcement
The DGJA began operations under director general Teófilo “Quico” Tabar after Law 86-26 created a new framework for regulating, authorising, inspecting and supervising gambling activities.
This new authority replaces the former Directorate of Casinos and Gambling and aims to centralise responsibilities previously divided between several institutions. Its remit includes land-based and online gambling, operator oversight, licensing, inspections and measures addressing fraud, money laundering and gambling-related harm.
The Dominican Republic is using the new regulator to pause market expansion while it regularises existing operators and improves its records. Banning new premises may help prevent further growth of unlicensed or poorly documented businesses, but enforcement must remain proportionate.
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