Online gaming regulation: the key to industry growth in the Dominican Republic

Within GAT Showcase in the Dominican Republic, Circe Almánzar Melgen presented the conference ‘"Digitain: Benefits of a Regulated Online Gaming Industry". During her speech, she emphasised that the regulation of online gaming not only protects consumers, but also encourages investment and formalises an industry that, despite its global relevance, still lacks a solid regulatory framework in the country.

Almánzar Melgen stated: “Gaming is a reality in our country, and we must find institutional ways to coexist with it”. She highlighted the urgency of building a more transparent and sustainable environment through adequate regulations.

The Licensee underlined the remarkable growth of the global online gaming market, which reached revenues of $88 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach $107 billion by the end of 2024. “With the high degree of connectivity and flexible human capital in the Dominican Republic, we have the potential to become a regional hub for online gaming”, she stressed, although he cautioned that this will depend on adopting the necessary regulations.

Addressing the need for a regulatory framework, he noted that “licensing without oversight must be strict’ and that ‘regular audits are essential to ensure compliance with regulations”. In addition, he stressed the importance of creating an autonomous superintendence of lotteries and gaming to supervise and regulate operators.

Almánzar Melgen cited international examples, such as the case of Colombia, which, after regulating gambling in 2016, has seen an increase in the confidence of operators and players, as well as in its tax revenues, which grew by more than 16% in recent years. ‘Online gaming taxes are a significant source of revenue for governments,’ she said, arguing that effective regulation generates tax benefits and protects players.

She also stressed that online gaming platforms should offer self-exclusion tools and limits on gambling to prevent addiction, while underlining the need for ‘clear and consistent rules’ covering all aspects of the market, from licensing to user data protection.

Finally, she urged Dominican authorities and all stakeholders to collaborate in the development of a regulation that guarantees a safe, fair and transparent environment for users, contributing to the economic and social well-being of the Dominican Republic. "A new regulatory framework is an urgent necessity,’ she concluded, emphasising that “the benefits far outweigh the difficulties”.