Teófilo Tabar supports Gambling Bill to strengthen regulation in the Dominican Republic
The general administrator of the National Lottery, Teófilo “Quico” Tabar, has expressed his firm support for the Gambling Law project currently being debated in the National Congress. According to the official, this initiative represents a decisive step toward organizing a sector that has historically operated under regulations dispersed among various state institutions.
Tabar emphasized that the greatest value of this proposal lies in the creation of a General Directorate of Gambling endowed with full autonomy and the necessary operational capacity to apply an effective regime of consequences against those who fail to comply with current regulations.
It would be a great achievement for the country to have an entity that regulates, with the necessary structure to supervise and clear mechanisms to sanction those who operate outside the law.
Teófilo Tabar, administrator of the National Lottery.
Dialogue and refinement after approval
Although the official defends the essence of the project, he acknowledged that every law can be improved. Therefore, he has formally proposed to Congress to establish a working group for a period of 90 days after the eventual approval of the piece. This space would allow representatives of the sector and specialists to analyze necessary adjustments, ensuring that the regulations respond to the reality of the market.
Tabar clarified that the National Lottery has no jurisdiction over the regulation of betting shops, a responsibility that has previously passed through the General Directorate of Internal Taxes and the Ministry of Finance. Likewise, he preferred not to delve into controversial topics such as the distance between betting shops or tax adjustments, delegating those decisions to the legislators.
Regulatory innovation and the fight against fraud
The new bill seeks to transform a sector that includes more than 71,000 lottery and sports betting shops in the country. Among the most notable measures are severe criminal sanctions, with prison sentences of up to ten years for those who engage in the manipulation or alteration of draw results.
This regulatory framework aligns with the State’s efforts to strengthen the prevention of money laundering and the financing of terrorism. The regulatory modernization responds to a constant evolution, which has moved from Law 351-64 —the historical basis of the system— to current regulations that range from online betting to the National Self-Exclusion System to promote responsible gambling.
- Solid structure: Creation of an autonomous regulatory body.
- Consequence regime: Punitive measures against fraud.
- Legal certainty: Unification of scattered regulations.
- User protection: Implementation of responsible gaming policies.
With this new vision, the Dominican State seeks to consolidate a supervision scheme that integrates oversight, taxation, and transparency, adapting to the technological and security challenges currently demanded by the gambling industry.
