Legality of offline and online gambling (Dominican Republic)

The Dominican Republic is one of the few Caribbean markets where offline casinos are legal, but operate according to strictly defined rules and under the supervision of the Ministry of Finance. In 2024, the country supplemented the "offline skeleton" with a separate digital framework: a resolution was adopted introducing licensing of online casinos and sports betting. Below - what exactly is allowed, under what conditions and by whom is administered.

1) Who regulates

The operational regulator is Dirección de Casinos y Juegos de Azar (DCJA) under the Ministry of Finance. On the portals of the Ministry of Finance and DCJA, service cards are posted (obtaining a casino license, changing the operating mode, checking inspectors, etc.). It is these bodies that accept and process applications, maintain registers and exercise supervision.

2) Legal basis of land-based casinos (offline)

Basic law. The offline casino market is based on Ley No. 351-64 (1964), authorizing the issuance of licenses for gambling halls (with a tourist orientation of the sites). Later acts repeatedly "tuned" the details, but the 351st remains the core.

Hours of operation and administration. Substantial upgrades came at Ley No. 29-06:

the official schedule for tables in the casino from 16:00 to 06:00 was fixed, the powers of the Casino Commission/Ministry of Finance for the administration and revocation of licenses were clarified, fiscal parameters were updated.

Slots and tolerance. Ley No. 96-88 allowed the casino to operate slot machines, while imposing a ban on playing slot machines for Dominican citizens (access for foreigners upon presentation of a document confirming citizenship).

Practices and procedures. The Ministry of Finance publishes regulations/tariffs: from the "expedition of the license for the installation and operation of the casino" to the opening/re-opening of the hall and changes in the work schedule.

3) What is legal offline - "on the fingers"

Casino as part of the hotel infrastructure - legally, with a DCJA/Ministry of Finance license and compliance with opening hours.

Slot machines (slots) are legal in casinos, but Dominican citizens are prohibited from playing slots (other games are regulated by general access rules).

Inspection procedures and identification of inspectors - publicly available (online check on DCJA website).

💡 Outside the licensed perimeter (unregistered halls, "room" machines), activities are considered illegal and must be suppressed.

4) Online mode: what has changed in 2024

New frame. On March 26, 2024, the Treasury Department published Resolución No. 136-2024, which introduces licensing of the "Internet modality" of games and bets: now online casinos and online bookmakers have permits, platform and compliance requirements (including warranty/fiance and data storage). DCJA has oversight.

Key requirements (in general terms):

obtaining an online license from the Ministry of Finance (through DCJA), technological, KYC/AML and data-by-design requirements (including long-term storage of game information), financial conditions (guarantee deposit/fiance for the licensee).

Practical implementation. In parallel with the publication of the resolution, the authorities announced the cleaning of the "gray field" (blacklists of unlicensed domains/brands) and the preparation of services for issuing online licenses.

5) What is legal online - "short"

Online casinos and online betting are legal only if you have a Dominican license and comply with the terms of Resolución 136-2024 and related regulations.

Offshore sites without a local license are illegal to operate in the DR; the regulator has the right to block/suppress.

6) Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Who actually issues licenses?

Ministry of Finance through DCJA; offline procedures and services are posted on the portals of the Ministry of Finance/DCJA, online licenses - according to Resolución 136-2024.

Where can I see the official requirements and tariffs for offline casinos?

In the service card "Expedición de licencia para instalar y operar de casinos" and related procedures (changing the operating mode, opening/re-opening).

Is it true that the Dominicans are forbidden slots?

Yes, this is a direct Ley 96-88 rule (for slot machines in casinos).

Is online already "running"?

The legal regime was introduced by Resolución 136-2024; the operational presence of online brands in the "white" field is possible only after obtaining a Dominican license and fulfilling compliance conditions.

Offline casinos in the DR are legal and operate on the historical Ley 351-64 framework with key updates Ley 29-06 (hours, administration) and Ley 96-88 (slots and access).

Online games/betting from 2024 received a formal licensing frame (Resolución 136-2024); without a local license, the activity is considered illegal.

The DCJA regulator under the Ministry of Finance provides procedures, inspections and services for operators and citizens - both in the "ground" and in the new online circuit.

This architecture makes the market predictable for investors and understandable for players: legally - where there is license and supervision; everything else is illegal.