Santo Domingo.– Various sectors have reacted to the bill that seeks to regulate gambling in the country, considering that the initiative violates the provision that establishes a minimum distance of 500 meters between betting shops. The piece is on the agenda in the Senate of the Republic, and a commission chaired by Deputy Rogelio Genao (son) has been formed for its study.
The proposal, originally promoted by the senator from Hato Mayor, Cristóbal Castillo, has generated questions from different sectors of society. Among those who have expressed their rejection is journalist Ramón Tolentino, who described the initiative as unnecessary and warned that, if approved, it would facilitate virtual betting on cockfights, horse races, slot machines, and other games.
According to Tolentino, the project was known discreetly in Congress, which is why he considers that the debate surrounding the modifications to the Penal Code served as a “smoke screen” for the initiative to advance without much public attention.
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The communicator also stated that, if it were to become law, the Dominican Republic would run the risk of becoming a second “Las Vegas,” albeit a “Temu” version, alluding to his belief that the benefits would favor only a small group of people and not the country. Likewise, he described the proposal as a “cancer” for the nation.
Both Tolentino and other sectors have requested that President Luis Abinader and the Chamber of Deputies pay attention to the project, which currently continues its course in the National Congress.
