Dominican Republic seeks to regulate casinos on cruise ships
The Ministry of Finance presented a draft resolution to oversee gaming rooms aboard vessels docking in Dominican waters. The measure, aimed at cruises with more than 2,000 passengers, seeks to align this segment with the anti-money laundering prevention standards already in place for land-based casinos.
The Dominican Republic has put the spotlight on a gaming vertical that until now operated in a regulatory vacuum: casinos on cruises. The Ministry of Finance and Economy issued a draft resolution proposing the implementation of mandatory licenses and a fee scheme for first-class vessels that remain at least six hours in national waters.
The initiative arises at a time of growth for the sector. In 2025 alone, the country received 788 ships with more than 2.8 million visitors, a volume that has driven authorities to establish stricter controls to mitigate risks of money laundering and terrorism financing.
Requirements and compliance bond
If the regulation is approved, every vessel with a capacity exceeding 2,000 passengers must obtain a license granted by the Directorate of Casinos and Gambling. Among the financial obligations, the submission of a performance bond of DOP 20 million (approx. USD 270,000) stands out.
The cost of the license issuance fee will be divided according to the ship’s capacity:
- From 2,000 to 3,499 passengers: DOP 1 million (USD 13,500).
- More than 3,500 passengers: DOP 1.5 million (USD 20,200).
Licenses will have a validity of five years and will authorize the operation of a single gaming room per vessel, without the possibility of being transferred to other ships in the same fleet.
Operating fees and entry control
In addition to the initial license, the draft establishes annual operating fees based on the number of gaming tables:
- From 1 to 20 tables: DOP 600,000 annually.
- From 21 to 40 tables: DOP 700,000 annually.
- More than 41 tables: DOP 800,000 annually.
The regulation also limits the number of annual entries into national waters included in the basic fee to 15. For each additional entry into Dominican maritime territory, operators must pay DOP 15,000.
Towards regulatory equalization
With this proposal, the Ministry of Finance seeks to ensure that floating casinos receive regulatory treatment similar to that of gaming rooms located in luxury hotels within Dominican territory. The document is currently in the public consultation phase, allowing stakeholders in the tourism and gaming sectors to submit their observations before the final signing of the resolution.
Tags: Dominican Republic, Republica Dominicana Cruises, Cruise Ship Casinos