Samaná faces growing expansion of slot machines and lottery parlors; citizens call for regulation and oversight

Samaná. The massive installation of slot machines in lottery shops and other commercial establishments continues to expand in different communities of the Samaná province, generating concern among citizens who are demanding greater intervention from the authorities responsible for regulating gambling in the Dominican Republic.

Over the last few months, residents of various municipalities and municipal districts have observed a notable increase in so-called “slot machines,” which have been placed in numerous commercial establishments without, so far, any known decisive supervision or oversight actions by the competent institutions.

Added to this situation is the constant growth of lottery kiosks, many of them operating at a short distance from each other, which has led to questions regarding compliance with the regulations that govern the location and operation of this type of business.

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Community sectors understand that, beyond the legality of these activities, it is necessary to ensure that they are carried out within an appropriate regulatory framework, respecting the provisions established to protect the commercial and social order of the communities.

Likewise, citizens express concern about the impact that the proliferation of these games of chance could have on young people and families, especially given the ease of access that exists in some sectors of the province.

The population believes that it is the responsibility of the authorities to carry out the relevant investigations and evaluations to determine if these establishments meet the legal requirements to operate and if the regulatory distances between lottery booths are being respected.

Given the sustained growth of this activity, various sectors are calling on national authorities to intervene in the situation, strengthen oversight mechanisms, and ensure compliance with current regulations.

Meanwhile, the issue continues to generate debate in Samaná, where more and more voices are calling for effective regulation and a greater presence of the bodies responsible for ensuring the proper functioning of gambling in the country.