Ricardo Nadal demands strict controls for minors in new Gambling Law
Within the framework of the legislative debate on the Gambling Bill in the National Congress, Ricardo Nadal Martínez, president of the National Association of Sports Betting Shops, has raised his voice to demand more rigorous oversight mechanisms to prevent minors from accessing betting.
Nadal Martínez emphasized that the sports betting sector already operates under clear regulations that require specific conditions in its premises, such as enclosed structures, climate control systems, tinted glass, and visible signage that explicitly prohibits the entry of minors.
The premises must be closed, air-conditioned, with dark windows so that you cannot see from the outside in, and with a sign stating that minors are not allowed.
Ricardo Nadal Martínez
Concern regarding the proliferation of informal betting
The sports leader questioned the contradiction presented by the current landscape, where while new regulations are being discussed, virtual gaming establishments are proliferating in open spaces. According to Nadal, this situation exposes minors to uncontrolled betting environments, often located in critical points of the urban geography.
- Presence of minors and adults betting on public roads.
- Operations near educational centers and hospitals, contravening minimum distance regulations.
- Need for uniform oversight for all actors in the sector.
Nadal recalled that current legislation stipulates a minimum distance of 500 meters from sensitive institutions, a rule that, in his view, is being ignored in practice. Therefore, he urged legislators to ensure that the new piece of legislation does not only focus on the expansion of gambling modalities, but also prioritizes the protection of minors as a fundamental pillar of social security.
Finally, the representative of the sports bankers called for the rules of the game to be applied fairly, ensuring that the growth of the sector does not translate into greater vulnerability for the child and youth population in the Dominican Republic.
