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The Dominican Association of Sports Betting Shops (ADOBAD) reiterated its demand to the Senate to consider the General Gambling Law that is set to be enacted in the country after the National Horse Racing Commission (CHN) confirmed it has issued 29,100 licenses for virtual horse racing.
The debate came to a boil when the commission previously came under fire over alleged issuance of over 70,000 licenses by the commission, a claim by ADOBAD and the National Association of Sports Betting Shops (Asonabade). The CHN, headed by Francisco Pavonessa Grullón, disagreed and said it had already granted 29,100 licenses since it was established from over 60,000 applications.
ADOBAD Warns of Expansion of Virtual Gambling
But the number recognized by the CHN will spur a re-evaluation of the legislation under consideration by the Senate for ADOBAD. The association believes that if the bill is approved as is, it will bring electronic and virtual gambling to the Dominican Republic’s shores in a faster manner.
ADOBAD’s president pointed out that the number of licenses that have been issued could be a foretaste of what may come under a more extensive regulatory regime. It is a forecast of what may transpire should the General Gambling Law be adopted, which sets the stage for digital casinos in any open area, accessible to minors and children, he added.
The association also has raised doubts about the number of licenses that were given to the public space lottery shops. This may help to drive gambling activity outside of the framework of gambling regulations that ADOBAD sees as being proper, it says.
CHN Defends Its Legal Authority
The National Horse Racing Commission is convinced that its activities are carried out within the framework of the current legislation, especially Decree 480-19. The decree defined the rules for virtual horse racing games and defined them as electronic games operated by the terminals with the authorization of the commission.
This interpretation is still disputed by ADOBAD. After the passage of Law 494-06, the association believes that the CHN has taken over duties which are more in the nature of the Ministry of Finance, especially with regard to the granting of licences for gambling operations.
Senate Reviews Creation of New Gambling Authority
The controversy has emerged as the Dominican Senate is considering a bill to create a General Directorate of Games that will be the body to reorganize, regulate and supervise the country’s gambling and betting industry.
The proposed framework may thus redefine the distribution of regulatory powers among the various government agencies and offer a new arrangement to regulate traditional and new gambling markets. The intervention of ADOBAD in the legislative process comes on top of the debate on the licensing and supervision of virtual gambling.
The conversation also underscores the broader regulatory challenges for the DR in managing the expansion of digital gambling, such as clarifying institutional responsibilities, regulating access to gambling products, and ensuring licensed gambling stays under effective control.
Source: SBC Noticias
