Dominican Republic Creates DGJA and Names Teófilo Tabar to Enforce New Gambling Law 86-26
President Luis Abinader enacted Law 86-26 and created the DGJA. Teófilo “Quico” Tabar Manzur was appointed to direct the new regulator. The statute sets 5-year lottery licenses, 10-year casino and slot licenses restricted to higher-rated hotels, and 200-500 meter separation rules.
SCCG Take — The appointment and license framework give operators defined compliance paths and should reduce regulatory gray areas that previously slowed investment.
President Luis Abinader has enacted Law 86-26 to regulate gambling across the Dominican Republic. The law appeared in Official Gazette No. 11,263. Decree 684-26 simultaneously creates the General Directorate of Gambling (DGJA) and appoints Teófilo “Quico” Tabar Manzur to lead it on a provisional basis.
Tabar previously coordinated the Gambling Regularization Process. Under the decree he holds highest executive, administrative, and legal representative authority for the new body. The Executive Branch has ordered all state authorities to cooperate so the DGJA can begin operations promptly.
Licensing Terms and Location Controls
Law 86-26 sets five-year terms for lottery shop licenses after Congress lengthened the original two-year proposal. Casinos may operate only under a DGJA license valid for 10 years and only inside four-star or higher hotels. Slot machine halls need a separate 10-year license.
A 500-meter buffer is required from all gambling points to schools, universities, churches, hospitals, and government offices. Sports betting shops must sit 500 meters from horse-racing agencies; lottery shops need 200 meters separation from one another. Casinos are exempt from the distance rules. These geographic limits seek to prevent unchecked expansion.
Path to Regulatory Implementation
Decree 684-26 keeps the Advisory Council created by Decree No. 533-21 in place. The council will supply honorary advice on public policies that streamline internal processes and improve public service in the sector. According to Yogonet International, the combined steps place the country’s iGaming and retail betting markets at the start of formalization, tighter oversight, and alignment with international standards.
The immediate task is orderly rollout of licenses and location compliance. Clear rules on license duration and physical spacing now exist; execution will determine how quickly the market absorbs them.
Reporting: Yogonet International
Generated by SCCG’s automated editorial system from published source reporting. SCCG Management holds editorial responsibility.
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