New penalties of up to 10 years in prison for gambling fraud in the Dominican Republic
The gambling sector in the Dominican Republic is heading towards an unprecedented regulatory transformation. With the goal of modernizing and unifying the regulatory framework governing the more than 71,000 lottery and sports betting shops operating in the country, the new bill establishes a high-severity sanctioning regime to ensure transparency and protect public trust.
Drastic sanctions against lottery fraud
The legislative proposal focuses on the integrity of the results. In accordance with Article 164, numeral 2, any individual who alters or distorts by fraudulent means the results of a bet or draw shall be sanctioned with major prison sentences ranging from 5 to 10 years.
The regulation seeks to ensure that the game remains under strict standards of randomness and unpredictability, thus protecting users and the national financial system.
In addition to the deprivation of liberty, offenders will have to face significant financial fines, which have been set between 10 and 20 minimum wages of the public sector, reinforcing the punitive impact against those who seek to profit through deception.
Control over technical and digital manipulation
The project not only sanctions direct fraud, but also covers technical manipulation and the development of unauthorized software. The legal provisions include the following measures:
- Machine tampering: Those who alter payment mechanisms or internal slot machine systems will face 2 to 5 years of minor imprisonment and fines of 9 to 15 minimum wages.
- Unauthorized software: Developers and programmers who design or implement electronic systems for lotteries without due authorization from the General Directorate of Gambling (DGJA) will receive penalties under the same scale of minor imprisonment.
- Device manipulation: Any intentional alteration of the operating components of gaming equipment will be punished with the full rigor of the law.
Consequences for commercial companies
The law is categorical regarding the use of companies as a front for illicit activities. Article 167 empowers courts to order the definitive dissolution of commercial companies that serve as a means to commit these crimes. Additional measures include the closure of establishments, judicial supervision for five years, and the total forfeiture of assets used to operate the fraud.
Currently, the project is at a crucial stage. Following the start of the Second Ordinary Legislative Session, the Senate must evaluate the modifications introduced by the Chamber of Deputies to proceed with its final approval and subsequent submission to the Executive Branch for its enactment.
