Genao asks the Dominican Senate to address the gambling law
The bill reorganizing gambling in the Dominican Republic passed the Chamber of Deputies on July 23rd and was stalled in the Senate, where the Finance Committee must review the introduced changes before issuing a ruling. Deputy Rogelio Genao Lanza, who chaired the special committee tasked with studying the text, called for Congress to resume the process.
The argument he offers is about state capacity. For Genao Lanza, the sector grew much faster than the tools available to monitor it, and the law would close that gap with explicit rules for operators, a stronger licensing regime, better oversight instruments, and penalties for those operating outside the law. The scope covers both physical establishments and bets placed through electronic platforms.
The institutional core of the bill is the General Directorate of Gambling (Dirección General de Juegos de Azar), a new body that would be responsible for regulating, supervising, and overseeing the activity. The deputy argues that an authority dedicated to the issue would give the State a real understanding of operations and the power to demand compliance and sanction when necessary.
Another section of the text deals with the environment. The regulation sets minimum distances between betting establishments and prohibits their installation near schools, universities, churches, hospitals, and other places considered sensitive, in addition to incorporating measures to prevent minors from entering or participating.
A third focus is on money. The bill adds controls against fraud and money laundering, strengthens the tax obligations of licensees, and provides for administrative and criminal sanctions for clandestine operations, manipulation of bets or results, and other conduct outside the norm.
There is also a moratorium clause. Once the register of licensees is published, the issuance of new permits for certain categories of establishments will be closed for ten years, except for casinos in hotels and tourist areas. Genao Lanza defended this pause as a condition to organize, register, and control what already exists before enabling further expansion.
The decisive step is now in the Senate. Until the Finance Committee rules on the modifications received from the Deputies, the bill cannot advance to its final approval.
Tags: Rogelio Genao Lanza, General Directorate of Gaming, Chamber of Deputies, Senate of the Dominican Republic