Dominican Republic gambling official warns of post-reform review for unregulated operations

Dominican Republic gambling operators that function outside the current legal boundaries may be subjected to a thorough review once the country’s new gambling legislation takes effect, the official in charge of the regularization process has cautioned.

Teófilo “Quico” Tabar, coordinator of the Dominican Republic’s gambling regularization process, said he would propose a detailed examination of any activity conducted outside the limits set by current decrees as soon as the bill is enacted. Tabar’s statement was aimed at gambling business owners, employees and public officials, and he urged them to avoid actions that could draw attention during the regularization period.

The bill has already cleared the Chamber of Deputies in two readings and is set to return to the Senate, where amendments introduced by the lower chamber will be considered. Tabar also called for an “immediate suspension” of any decision that could change the status of a gambling operation, warning that such moves could later be tied to conduct reviewed under the new legal framework.

Tabar described regularization as a shared responsibility among the state, society and gambling companies, noting that practices permitted to develop over the years now need correction. Together with a team of specialists, he said, his role is to help the legislation submitted by President Luis Abinader achieve full transparency in the sector “without exceptions.”

He added that his remarks were prompted by disagreements over specific articles in the bill, which he linked to competing interests inside the gambling industry, and said he would not comment further on those disputes.