DR vs Cuba and Puerto Rico

Comparison with other Caribbean countries (Cuba, Puerto Rico)

1) Basic market picture

The Dominican Republic (DR) is one of the largest and most open markets in the Caribbean: developed offline casinos at hotels, common betting "bancas," lotteries, growing digitalization and tourism as an anchor of demand. Supervision - Dirección de Casinos y Juegos de Azar (Ministry of Finance).

Cuba is a historic ban on private casinos and a narrow, state-controlled gambling sector. Gaming services for tourists are severely limited, the illegal sector is present, but there are many risks and barriers.

Puerto Rico is a US territory with a "hybrid" model: traditional hotel casinos + regulated sports betting (including online), strong AML/KYC requirements, integration with American payments and compliance standards. Regulatory architecture is closer to the United States than to the rest of the Caribbean.

2) Laws and regulation

DR

Legal casinos and betting points; permit regime, licensing of operators and equipment, control of cash discipline.

The online segment is evolving: some of the services are available from local and offshore brands; the state's course is on streamlining and fiscalization.

Cuba

Since the 1960s, private casinos have been banned; the state holds monopoly control over games (lotteries/instant draws may exist in limited forms).

Online gambling is actually illegal/without a dedicated mode; infrastructure and legal barriers are high.

Puerto Rico

Historically, casinos at hotels under supervision; since the late 2010s - legal sports betting (retail and online).

Online casinos as a full-fledged segment unfold cautiously; the regulator strengthens the standards of audit, protection of players and sources of funds.

3) Offline casinos and betting points

DR

A wide network of casinos in tourist clusters (Punta Cana, Santo Domingo, etc.); "bancas" of rates and numbers are a notable part of the retail market.

Competition for the tourist dollar and for the local player; regular checks, requirements for cash accounting and equipment certification.

Cuba

There are no private casinos; tourist complexes develop without playrooms.

Informal/illegal games are a matter of restraint; market scale is limited.

Puerto Rico

Hotel casinos are a stable anchor of tourism (San Juan, etc.).

Retail sports books are expanding; synergy with hotel and entertainment segments.

4) Online gambling and mobile betting

DR

Access to international platforms, local initiatives; a gradual shift towards regulation and taxation of remote services.

Mobile wallets and cards are key to growth, but questions remain about uniform technical requirements and monitoring.

Cuba

There is no legal online marketplace; access to foreign sites is limited/unstable, the risks of blocking and sanctions regimes are high.

Puerto Rico

Online sports betting is legal and already works for several major brands; KYC, geofencing and limits - "like in the USA."

Full iGaming (online casino) is developing cautiously, focusing on security and transparent sources of funds.

5) Taxes and fees

DR: combination of royalties, gross income/turnover fees, specific taxes on "bancas" and lotteries; the state is strengthening fiscal control (cash registers/online reporting).

Cuba: predominantly government channels and fees; there is no private commercial casino revenue.

Puerto Rico: Tax treatment is close to American - licensing fees, Gross Income Taxes (GGR) for wagers/casinos, earmarks for social funds.

6) Tourism, economy and employment

DR

Tourism is a key driver: casinos + all-inclusive hotels form an entertainment package.

The gambling sector supports jobs in hospitality, security, IT, marketing.

Cuba

Tourism relies on culture, beaches, music, historical architecture - without casinos.

The effect on employment from the gambling sector is minimal.

Puerto Rico

Sports and casino betting add revenue to MICE tourism and resorts; employment multiplier applies to technical support, risk management, compliance.

7) Payment methods and fintech

DR: bank cards, local fintech services, the growing role of digital wallets; operators - transition to strict accounting of transactions and reporting.

Cuba: currency restrictions and sanctions environment; cross-border payments are difficult; cryptocurrencies are used by individuals as a "bypass" tool, but are not integrated into legal gambling.

Puerto Rico: cards/ASN, strict AML, providers compatible with American standards; for online betting - geolocation and KYC modeled on the United States.

8) Responsible play, AML/KYC and player protection

DR: mandatory identification procedures in licensed segments, age restrictions, growing RG agenda (limits, self-exclusion).

Cuba: control through state channels; in the absence of a private market, complex RG tools are limited in development.

Puerto Rico: "hard" compliance (KYC, sources of funds, transaction monitoring), RG tools - as in the USA (deposit/time limits, self-exclusion, hot lines).

9) Risks to players and operators

DR

For operators: regulatory updates, reporting requirements, combating gray competition.

For players: differences between licensed locations and offshore sites; it is important to check the license and payment methods.

Cuba

For operators: there is no legal framework for private activities.

For players: legal risks, lack of legal channels for protecting interests and responsible play.

Puerto Rico

For operators: high compliance costs, audit, IT control.

For players: high level of protection, but strict KYC procedures and limits.

10) Trends to 2030

DR

Further institutionalization of the online segment is likely: unification of licenses, electronic checks/cash registers, anti-humiliation, incentive for local platforms.

Deeper integration of casinos with resorts and event tourism; growing share of mobile betting and live gaming.

Cuba

Status quo scenario: no private casinos and no open online marketplace.

Tourism will continue to develop outside the gambling paradigm.

Puerto Rico

Expansion of online betting and possible careful development of iGaming, subject to strict control.

Strengthening the link "sport - media - betting," partnerships with American leagues and operators.

11) Summary table (brief)

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Withdrawal for the Dominican Republic

Against the backdrop of the prohibition model of Cuba and the Americanized model of Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic remains the most entrepreneurially friendly Caribbean platform of the three: a wide offline segment, a dense link with tourism, growing digitalization and a clear vector for the fiscalization of online services. By 2030, DR has a chance to consolidate the status of a regional hub for casinos and betting, subject to increased control, transparency of payments and uniform rules for remote services.