A bill submitted to the Dominican Republic Senate would transform the National Lottery into a fully-fledged regulatory body with expanded authority over all gambling activity in the country.
Currently, the institution participates in the regulation and organisation of betting shops and lotteries, but much of the legal and administrative responsibility lies with the Ministry of Finance, particularly through the Directorate of Casinos and Gambling.
Under the proposal, however, it would become a decentralized state entity attached to the Ministry of Finance with its own legal personality and assets, alongside full administrative, financial and technical autonomy.
If the initiative passes, the Lottery would become the main regulatory body for lottery outlets, sports betting, casinos, electronic games and other gambling activities in the country.
The bill aims to strengthen oversight of the sector through expanded supervisory, inspection and sanctioning powers. It also seeks to address issues including the rapid expansion of betting shops, tax evasion, illegal gambling activity and weak regulatory control.
The bill also provides that the National Lottery administrator will conduct nationwide surveys of all lottery and sports betting establishments every six months.
To take effect, the bill establishing the National Lottery of the Dominican Republic must be approved by Congress and enacted by the Executive Branch.
Separately, the Dominican Republic is strengthening its AML and CTF rules for the casino and gaming industry.
In February, the Ministry of Finance, through the Directorate of Casinos and Gambling, held an AML compliance workshop for casino and gaming operators.
The session took place at the Center for Training in Fiscal Policy and Management in Santo Domingo and focused on the implementation of Resolution No. 217-2025, the third update to the AML and CTF regulatory framework governing gaming operators.
The resolution introduced strengthened reporting obligations, enhanced due diligence requirements and tighter supervisory mechanisms.
The Dominican Republic has faced increasing scrutiny from international AML monitoring bodies in recent evaluation cycles
