Santo Domingo.– The bill that regulates gambling in the Dominican Republic contemplates severe sanctions against shareholders, partners, and administrators of companies in the sector who participate in or allow the commission of infractions classified as very serious.
The initiative, approved with modifications by the Chamber of Deputies and returned to the Senate of the Republic to continue its legislative process, establishes in its article 153 that natural or legal persons who hold administrative, managerial, or directorial positions in betting and gambling companies will be held personally liable when they consent to, promote, encourage, cover up, or facilitate the commission of serious violations of the regulations.
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As part of the sanctions, the draft provides for immediate removal from office and disqualification from exercising administrative or management functions in any entity in the betting and gambling sector, as well as in parent companies, corporate groups, or holdings linked to that activity, for a period of up to ten years.
The measure would apply without prejudice to any administrative or criminal penalties applicable to the license holder, with the purpose of establishing individual responsibilities and preventing executives from evading the consequences of infractions committed by the companies under their management.
The project is part of a comprehensive reform promoted by the Executive Branch to strengthen the regulation of the gambling sector, combat illegal operations, and reinforce oversight mechanisms.
Among other provisions, the initiative creates the General Directorate of Gambling (DGJA), an agency that would be in charge of the regulation and oversight of the activity, in addition to establishing a sanctions regime that includes penalties of up to ten years in prison for those who manipulate betting results, use front men to hide the actual beneficiaries of licenses, or commit other infractions considered very serious.
Likewise, the project sets restrictions for the location of betting establishments, prohibits the access of minors to these businesses, and establishes responsible gambling measures, such as the creation of a self-exclusion registry for people with gambling problems.
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Following its approval with modifications in the Chamber of Deputies, the legislative piece must be reviewed again by the Senate, which will decide whether to accept or reject the changes before completing the approval process.
