Sectors react to gambling bill that violates the 500-meter minimum distance
Stakeholders oppose a gambling bill that would allow betting shops within 500 meters, fearing it could turn the country into a gambling hub.Summary
Senate lawmakers are debating a gambling regulation bill that would allow betting shops to operate within 500 meters of each other, a move that violates the country's existing minimum-distance rule. The proposal, originally championed by Senator Cristóbal Castillo of Hato Mayor, has sparked criticism from journalists and civil society. Journalist Ramón Tolentino called the bill unnecessary, warned it could facilitate virtual betting on cockfights, horse races, slot machines, and other games, and accused the Senate of using a “smoke screen” to advance the measure without public scrutiny. He also warned that if enacted, the Dominican Republic could become a second “Las Vegas” – a “Temu” version – benefiting only a small elite and acting as a “cancer” for the nation. Tolentino and other stakeholders have urged President Luis Abinader and the Chamber of Deputies to pay close attention to the proposal as it moves through Congress.
(Source：De Último Minuto)