The official leading the Dominican Republic's gambling regularization process has warned that gambling activities carried out outside existing regulations will face review once the country's new gambling law comes into force.
Teófilo "Quico" Tabar, who is coordinating the country's gambling regularization process, said in a statement that as soon as the bill becomes law, he will propose a detailed review of any activity carried out outside the limits set by current decrees.
Tabar addressed the statement to business owners, employees and public officials connected to the gambling sector, urging them to avoid actions that could draw scrutiny while the regularization process is underway.
He specifically called for an immediate suspension of any decision that would change the status of a gambling operation, so that such moves cannot later be tied to conduct that could later be reviewed under the new legal framework.
Tabar described the regularization effort as a shared responsibility between the state, society and gambling businesses, arguing that practices allowed to develop over the years now need correcting.
He said his role, alongside a group of specialists, is meant to help the legislation submitted by President Luis Abinader achieve full transparency across the sector without exceptions.
He added that his remarks stem from disagreements over specific articles in the bill, which he attributed to competing interests within the gambling industry, and said he preferred not to comment further on those disputes.
The bill has already passed the Chamber of Deputies in two readings and will return to the Senate for consideration of amendments introduced by the lower house.
The Chamber of Deputies has already approved the gambling bill in two readings, and it was submitted to Congress by President Luis Abinader.
