Dominican Republic's New Gambling Law: What It Means for Players

President Luis Abinader promulgates Law 86-26, which regulates gambling in the Dominican Republic, and temporarily appointed Teófilo (Quico) Tabar Manzur as general director of the General Directorate of Gambling (DGJA).

The new legislation was published in Official Gazette 11263 on Friday, October 2, 2026, establishing the legal framework for the regulation of gambling in the country.

Tabar Manzur's appointment was ordered through Decree 684-26, issued this Friday by the Executive Branch. The official previously served as coordinator of the Gambling Regularization Process and will now assume, on a temporary basis, the general directorate of the DGJA.

As part of the provisions established by the decree, the Advisory Council will continue to provide honorary advice and support to the authorities of the General Directorate of Gambling.

This support will be directed toward designing public policies to improve the institution's internal procedures and ensure the provision of an efficient and timely public service.

Decree 684-26 also instructs the competent authorities to provide necessary collaboration and carry out the corresponding coordination to ensure the proper exercise of the Gambling Directorate's functions.

Gambling Law

The promulgation of Law 86-26 and the appointment of Tabar Manzur take place within the framework of launching the new institutional scheme for gambling regulation in the Dominican Republic.

Among the new features incorporated by the law is the extension of operating license validity periods. In this regard, the bill initially approved by the Senate contemplated a two-year license for lottery shops. However, with the introduced modifications, that period was increased to five years, counted from their issuance.

Establishment Distance

Regarding the location of establishments, Article 26 provides that gambling businesses may not be installed less than 500 meters from schools, universities, churches, hospitals, military quarters, daycare centers, seats of state powers, and other protected places.

It also establishes a minimum distance of 500 meters between sports betting shops and horse racing agencies, as well as 200 meters between lottery shops. Casinos are exempt from these restrictions.

Article 47 establishes that casinos may only operate through a license granted by the DGJA, valid for ten years, and may only operate in four-star or higher hotels.

Slot machine parlors will require an additional license with the same period of validity.