TLDR A new bill in the Dominican Republic Senate aims to modernize gambling regulations across the country. The bill covers lottery agencies, sports betting shops, bingo halls, and electronic lottery sales points. It sets minimum distance rules between gambling venues and schools, hospitals, churches, and government buildings. Sports betting shops face the strictest distance rule at 500 meters from sensitive locations. The bill now moves to the Senate floor for debate before any vote on approval.
Lawmakers in the Dominican Republic have introduced a new bill aimed at updating rules for the gambling industry. The proposal was submitted to the Senate this week.
The bill covers several types of gambling businesses. These include lottery agencies, sports betting shops, bingo halls, and electronic lottery sales points.
Lawmakers say the goal is to create clearer categories for each type of gambling operation. They also want new rules on where these businesses can open.
If passed, the bill would replace or strengthen existing laws. Those older rules set location standards that shaped how gambling businesses spread across the country.
Distance Rules for Lottery and Sports Betting
The bill sets minimum distances between gambling locations and places like schools, hospitals, churches, and government offices. These distances change depending on the type of gambling business.
Lottery agencies would need to stay at least 200 meters from public and private schools. The same rule applies to hospitals, clinics, disability support centers, government buildings, and recognized churches.
Lottery agencies would also need to stay 200 meters apart from each other. This matches a rule already in place under a past decree.
Sports betting shops face tighter rules. They would need to stay at least 500 meters from schools, hospitals, churches, disability centers, and main government buildings.
Sports betting shops would also need to keep