Dominican Civic Group Urges Rejection of Bill It Says Would Unleash Gambling Expansion
2026-07-20
The Dominican anti-corruption group Red de Ciudadanos Contra la Corrupción is urging lawmakers to reject a bill it says would remove distance restrictions on horse racing agencies, potentially leading to tens of thousands of new betting locations and increased gambling exposure, while authorities have not yet publicly responded to the claims.
A Dominican anti-corruption organization, the Red de Ciudadanos Contra la Corrupción, has called on lawmakers to block a legislative proposal it claims would radically expand the number of horse racing agencies and other betting venues in the country. The group’s lawyer, Enmanuel Pimentel, warned that the measure, currently before the National Congress, would remove the distance restrictions set under Law 140-02, allowing horse racing agencies to operate inside any betting shop.
Core Concerns
According to the organization, the proposed amendment would scrap the current requirement that sports betting shops be at least 500 meters apart. That change, Pimentel argued, would lead to a sharp increase in outlets and expose more citizens to gambling. The group also alleged that horse racing agencies could be used to offer gambling beyond horse race betting — despite existing legal limits — and that agreements could allow up to 25,000 new betting locations nationwide, though the group did not provide supporting documents or name the parties allegedly involved.
Pimentel said: "We make an urgent, respectful and firm appeal for you to intervene before it is too late. The Dominican Republic does not need more gambling; it needs more education, more jobs and more opportunities for its people." He added that children, adolescents, single mothers, widows, workers, and low-income families would be disproportionately harmed by the losses. "The Dominican Republic is already saturated with betting shops. We find them next to schools, hospitals, convenience stores and in virtually every neighborhood across the country. Our society cannot withstand an uncontrolled expansion of these businesses," he said.
Broader Regulatory Gaps
The group also called for stricter regulation of online gambling platforms, urging greater oversight and taxation for both domestic and international operators. It demanded that any changes to gambling laws be debated publicly and account for the social, economic, and public health consequences. Pimentel specifically appealed to Attorney General Yeni Berenice Reynoso and the President of the Chamber of Deputies to intervene, stating the organization had no political or economic motive but sought only to protect families.
Lack of Official Response
As of publication, the National Congress and the relevant gambling authorities have not publicly addressed the allegations. No specific bill matching the organization’s description has been officially identified, and the group did not publish the text of the proposed legislation. The developments follow the Dominican government’s months-old relaunch of the regularization process for lottery betting shops, part of a broader push to improve oversight of the gambling sector.