Dominican Civic Group Seeks Probe Into Alleged Payments to Advance Proposed Gambling Legislation
TL;DR — Fundación Primero Justicia has called for an investigation into alleged payments that may have been used to secure approval of the proposed Law on Games of Chance, which could facilitate the registration of up to 40,000 lottery betting shops. The bill would impose a 10-year moratorium on new licences, establish the DGJA and location restrictions of 500 metres and 200 metres.
SCCG Take — This raises clear risks to legislative credibility that could delay market formalization. Operators and investors must track Senate action and any probe results for impacts on concession values and enforcement.
A Dominican civic organization has called for an investigation into alleged payments aimed at securing approval for the country’s proposed gambling law. Fundación Primero Justicia submitted its request to Congress on 26 August, urging the Senate to reject the bill while asking the Attorney General’s Office to examine claims of large sums of money used to accelerate its progress.
The foundation stopped short of proving any payments occurred. It instead highlighted what it described as unusual confidence from executives at concessionary companies that the legislation would pass, despite the need for further Senate review and presidential approval. As reported by G3 Newswire, the group warned that the measure could regularise thousands of existing lottery betting shops operating outside current rules.
Concerns Over Market Regularisation and Social Effects
Fundación Primero Justicia president Miguel Surún Hernández emphasized the need for the Attorney General’s Office to investigate. He stated that proven payments to legislators would constitute a criminal offence. The organization argued the bill could facilitate registration of up to 40,000 lottery betting shops, including in areas near schools and residential zones. It expressed particular concern about social consequences for children and young people, suggesting the changes would primarily benefit a limited group of concessionaires.
Core Elements of the Proposed Law
The legislation, known as the Law on Games of Chance (Ley de Juegos de Azar), remains under Senate consideration after the Chamber of Deputies approved an amended version in July. It imposes a 10-year moratorium on new licences for lottery betting shops and other gambling establishments, with an exception for casinos tied to new hotel projects. The bill introduces stricter penalties for illegal gambling, creates an autonomous regulator in the form of the General Directorate of Games of Chance (DGJA), and sets location limits: betting premises generally barred within 500 metres of schools, hospitals and churches, with lottery shops restricted to 200 metres.
Additional provisions include a 10% tax on gross sales from online games and a unified betting registry to improve oversight and anti-money laundering efforts. Official figures cited in the bill put registered lottery betting shops at more than 71,000. The government reactivated a national regularisation programme in March 2026 to formalise and tax these operations.
The coming weeks in the Senate will test whether these integrity questions slow the bill or if the push for greater market control prevails.
Reporting: G3 Newswire
Generated by SCCG’s automated editorial system from published source reporting. SCCG Management holds editorial responsibility.
Corruption claims threaten the credibility of Dominican Republic's market formalization, introducing regulatory and timing risk for operators.
We've worked in dozens of emerging markets, and allegations like this can stall or unravel legislative momentum fast. If these claims stick — or even if they just delay Senate action — the pathway to formalizing 40,000 betting shops gets murky. Operators counting on clear licensing windows and investors sizing concessions need to watch this closely.
- Civic group calls for investigation into alleged payments to legislators backing gambling bill
- Bill would regularize up to 40,000 lottery shops, impose 10-year licensing moratorium
- Senate approval and presidential sign-off still pending; claims threaten legislative timeline
SCCG angle: SCCG has deep relationships across LatAm regulators and legal advisors who can source real-time intelligence on Senate dynamics and enforcement risk. We help clients stress-test market entry timing and structure partnerships that survive political turbulence — exactly what's needed when legislative credibility is in question.
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