Attributes criticism to sectors “benefiting from the disorder”
Santo Domingo.– Deputy Rogelio Alfonso Genao defended the bill that seeks to regulate gambling in the Dominican Republic and rejected the questions raised regarding the initiative, after it emerged that it includes a special regime that would allow for the reduction of accumulated tax debts by operators in the sector.
Genao maintained that information has been disseminated that, in his view, “manipulates what the project does”, and asserted that, far from favoring betting shop owners, the legislation creates new taxes and establishes greater controls to organize an activity that is currently regulated in a scattered manner.
“The bill creates those taxes, they do not currently exist, and it regulates, prohibits the installation for 10 years of those types of benches, to organize the sector”, the legislator stated.
You might be interested in: Bill opens the door to reducing tax debts for betting operators
His statements come amid questioning over article 192 of the initiative, titled “Special discount regime,” which opens the possibility for owners and operators of betting shops and other businesses in the sector to take advantage of facilities to reduce tax debts accumulated with the State due to delays in taxes and fees until December 2025.
The legislator explained that the proposal also incorporates the regulation of electronic lotteries, a modality that, as he pointed out, lacked a specific framework, and maintained that comparisons should be made taking into account the modifications agreed upon by the commission that studied the piece.
Genao also highlighted that the project contemplates the creation of an autonomous entity in charge of regulating gambling, as well as a ten-year ban on the installation of new betting shops, as part of the measures aimed at controlling the proliferation of these establishments.
Among other aspects, it highlighted the creation of a registry that will allow people to request their exclusion from gambling, controls on advertising, and provisions that recognize the risks of addiction associated with this activity.
“It is normal for people or those affected by this law, who have benefited from the disorder, to seek” to question legislation intended to organize the sector, the deputy stated.
What the project proposes regarding the discount regime
The project approved with modifications by the Chamber of Deputies proposes a comprehensive reorganization of the gambling system, including new rules for oversight, taxation, and operation for the different modalities.
Article 192 creates a “Special discount regime” intended to facilitate the tax regularization of operators who decide to formalize their status.
This regime benefits gambling operators that have accumulated debts due to delays in the payment of fees and taxes owed until December 2025.
In order to access these discounts, it is essential that operators have formally complied with the regularization and registration process established by law.
The discount scheme will be determined by the General Directorate of Gambling (DGJA) through a resolution approved by the Gambling Council, in coordination with the Ministry of Finance and Economy and the General Directorate of Internal Taxes (DGII). The applicable discounts will be defined in accordance with the provisions of Law No. 30-26 of June 18, 2026.
However, the special discount regime for tax debts remains one of the points that generates debate, as it allows facilities to operators that have pending obligations with the State, while its promoters argue that the legislation as a whole will increase controls and the regulatory burden on the sector.
