In a significant development, the authorities of the Dominican Republic have enacted a resolution, designated as Document number 136-2024, heralding a new era of regulation for online gambling within the country. This move underscores the government's commitment to establishing a structured framework for overseeing online casinos and sports betting activities.
The resolution, spearheaded by the state Ministry of Finance, empowers the Casino and Gaming Authority (Dirección de Casinos y Juegos de Azar) to administer and enforce the newly established regulations. Industry stakeholders, in a letter addressed to the minister, advocated for the implementation of a comprehensive regulatory framework to govern the burgeoning online gambling sector.
Online gambling regulation in the Dominican Republic traces back to 2006 when initial steps were taken to bring the industry under legal oversight. However, it wasn't until 2011 that the first license was issued, with Amaya Group emerging as a pioneering licensee. Notably, Amaya Group, subsequently rebranded as The Star Group in 2017, before being acquired by gambling behemoth Flutter Entertainment in 2019.
With the introduction of these new regulations, the Dominican Republic aims to foster a safe and transparent online gambling environment while effectively addressing industry challenges and promoting responsible gaming practices.