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Comparison with Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico (Cuba)
The Caribbean region exhibits three contrasting patterns of gambling handling. Cuba is a long-term course for a complete ban. Dominican Republic - regulated legalization based on resorts and fiscal revenues. Puerto Rico is an American legal model: licensed hotel casinos, a modern compliance system, the development of betting and iGaming within the framework of US standards. Below is a systematic comparison with a focus on the implications for the economy and tourism.
1) Legal regime
Cuba: no licenses and profile regulator; commercial gambling (offline/online) is prohibited.
Dominican Republic: casino licensing is in effect for hotels and gaming halls; national/private lottery formats; regulated betting and online products.
Puerto Rico: licensed hotel casinos; permitted sports betting; development of online channels under strict KYC/AML and US standards audit.
Conclusion: Cuba is "zero tolerance," Dominican Republic is "regulated accessibility," Puerto Rico is "strict regulation with an American compliance matrix."
2) Offline sector (casino, gaming halls)
Cuba: There are no legal casinos.
Dominican Republic: dozens of casinos in tourist zones (Punta Cana, Santo Domingo, Puerto Plata, etc.); strong connection with hotel and resort infrastructure.
Puerto Rico: premium hotel casinos in San Juan and resort clusters; betting on MICE tourism and cruises.
3) Online and betting
Cuba: online gambling is not licensed; offshore sites are illegal and without player protection.
Dominican Republic: Licensed online operators and bookmakers attend; payment tools and responsible play tools are gradually expanding.
Puerto Rico: regulated online betting and iGaming elements with mandatory KYC/AML; integration with American providers and auditors.
4) Taxes and budget
Cuba: No fiscal revenue from gambling; resources are redistributed outside the gambling sector.
Dominicana: license fees, GGR taxes/turnovers; indirect benefit through employment and tourism.
Puerto Rico: tax revenues and fees in transparent reporting; part of the proceeds goes to social programs/sports.
5) Tourism and positioning
Cuba: focus on cultural, historical and beach tourism; "no-stakes night economy" (shows, music, "demo nights").
Dominican Republic: all-in-one: hotel + casino + gastro + golf/events; aggressive marketing for US/Europe/LatAm.
Puerto Rico: "American Caribbean" - US service standards, premium resorts, cruises, conferences, sports tourism.
6) Payments, fintech, KYC/AML
Cuba: there are no legal payment rails for gambling; underground - cash/P2P/crypto with high risks.
Dominicana: bank cards, local wallets, controlled alternative methods; KYC/AML in onboarding.
Puerto Rico: a complete set of payment instruments and scoring; strict anti-laundering procedures and responsible play by design.
7) Social policy and risks
Cuba: the ban reduces the legal appearance of ludomania, but creates space for the underground without consumer protection.
Dominicana: Balancing taxes/tourism and the costs of addiction through responsible play programs and oversight.
Puerto Rico: formalized mechanisms of self-exclusion, limits, hotlines; high standard of reporting.
8) Economic effects (total)
Cuba: lack of taxes and employment in the gambling sector; "night check" is lower, depending on day/cultural demand.
Dominican: multiplier for hotels, F&B, transport, events; a significant share of tourist receipts is associated with the casino cluster.
Puerto Rico: stable receipts at higher cost of compliance; bet on premium segment and MICE.
9) Comparison table (key differences)
10) What it means for stakeholders
State (Cuba): maintaining the ban maintains an ideological line, but requires constant prevention of shadow and cyber fraud; tourism relies on culture and beaches, without a premium "evening" check.
Business: Cuba is closed to international operators; Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico - open, but require serious compliance and local partnerships.
Players/tourists: in Cuba, participation in gambling for money is a legal risk; in neighboring jurisdictions, legal products and consumer protection mechanisms are available.
11) Prospects until 2030 (scenario)
Cuba: basic scenario - maintaining the ban; only penniless "imitations" in hotels and a cultural program are possible.
Dominican: steady growth with digitalization and tightening of AML; focus on resort integrated resorts, e-channels and responsible play.
Puerto Rico: strengthening the status of the "regional standard of compliance"; expansion of betting and iGaming in cooperation with American providers.
12) SWOT for Cuba in comparative context
Strengths
Ideological consistency, low visibility of legal ludomania.
Cultural and historical capital outside the "game" agenda.
Weaknesses
Loss of taxes and employment in the high-margin segment.
Underground/offshore risks without consumer protection.
Opportunities
Development of cultural/medical/educational tourism.
Strengthening financial literacy and addiction prevention programs.
Threats
Currency leaks through offshore and shadow.
Reputational risks from "room" offers in travel zones.
Cuba, the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico present three different trajectories, from total prohibition to regulated accessibility and strict compliance by U.S. standards. For Cuba, this comparison emphasizes a conscious choice - ideological integrity and cultural tourism instead of the "night economy." For neighbors, the gambling sector works as an economic anchor, subject to risk control. Understanding these differences helps to more accurately shape tourist expectations, state strategy and the framework for discussion about the future of the Caribbean region.