Deadline Approaches for Gambling Establishments' Regularization in the DR

30 Days Granted to Betting Shop Owners to Declare Businesses Pending Regularization 

The General Directorate of Casinos and Gambling (DGJA) has granted an extraordinary 30-day period for owners of lottery shops, sports betting shops, and other gambling establishments left out of the National Regularization Plan to voluntarily declare their businesses to the authorities.

However, the statement, distributed on October 23, does not specify the exact expiration date of the deadline or detail the legal consequences of failing to submit the declaration.

This omission becomes significant in light of the provisions of Law 86-26. Its Article 162 establishes penalties of one to two years in prison and fines ranging from three to six public sector minimum wages for those who operate gambling activities without the corresponding license.

What the Law Says

Resolution 02-2026 contemplates closure measures and administrative sanctions for establishments that have initiated operations outside of legal deadlines and without authorization. Meanwhile, Article 190 of Law 86-26 establishes a 12-month period for the incorporation into the Single Registry System of establishments that were already operating legally and certain betting shops covered under the regularization plan.

In this context, the DGJA urges potentially irregular operators to identify themselves to the State, but its communication does not clarify the conditions applicable to those who come forward voluntarily nor specifies what measures might be adopted against those who fail to respond to the call.