Dominican Republic blacklists 41 gaming brands including Betway, Bet365, 888Sport, and William Hill

The Dominican Republic has taken decisive action by blacklisting over 40 major operator brands ahead of the re-regulation of its online gambling market. This significant move coincides with the issuance of Resolution 136-2024, introducing a new regulatory framework aimed at governing online gambling activities within the country.

Under the purview of the Dirección de Casinos y Juegos de Azar (DCJA), which falls under the Ministry of Finance, this resolution introduces a regulated framework for online casinos and lotteries. Operators without a valid license will no longer be authorized to operate in the country, aligning with Law 155-17 – “Against Money Laundering and the Financing of Terrorism.”

In line with these measures, the DCJA has released a list of 41 operators barred from offering services, including prominent names like Betway, Betsson, Bet365, 888Sport, William Hill, Betfair Colombia, Mr Green Casino and Interwetten.

Online gambling was initially regulated in the Dominican Republic in 2006, with the first license issued in 2011 to Amaya, PokerStars’ owner at the time. Amaya has been the only owner of a license to date, with the law existing more in theory than practice.

The new regulation is expected to bring about a more comprehensive framework for online gambling in the Dominican Republic, fostering competition and potentially increasing state revenue. Licenses will be valid for five years, with non-transferability for the first three years.

The cost of obtaining a casino license is $346,000, while sports betting licenses will be priced at $260,000. Additionally, a third license category for “other applications” will be available, costing $170,000.

The regulatory process, initiated on 28 February 2024, has been finalized with the signing of Resolution 136-2024 by the Minister of Finance, Jose Manuel Vicente. While taxation specifics are not outlined in the resolution, it is anticipated that the gross gaming revenue rate for online operators will mirror that of land-based casinos, set at 29%.

Foreign operators seeking to operate in the Dominican Republic will be required to register their company with the country’s Commercial Register and comply with registration requirements from the Office of National Contributions and the General Directorate of National Tax.

Furthermore, operators must register a web domain with ‘.do’ and host servers within the country. They are also mandated to commence operations within six months of receiving the license, ensuring prompt compliance with regulatory standards.