Casinos -- Pesos vs. USD$

[Carib_Bean]

Hi,

After reading the great casino info page on this site (thanks, DR1), I still have one more question:

DR1 recommends gambling with pesos instead of USD$ if you want to place a lower minimum bid (which is attractive to a cheap gambler like me), but it's not clear whether I can cash in those those pesos for USD$ at the end of the night.

I know I'm being incredibly optimistic even thinking that I'll have pesos to cash in, but I thank you in advance for any replies.

Bean

P.S. -- If it matters, I'm most interested in what they do in the smaller Juan Dolio casinos rather than the big ones in SD, but info on all is appreciated.

[Dolores]

You can always cash in your pesos at commercial banks or exchange houses. The dollar is gaining, so you will probably get a rate of around RD$18 to the US$.

[Carib_Bean]

Thanks, Delores, for the reply. My question was based on several postings (including a couple by "board experts") on Debbie's Dominican board stating that "you cannot change RD pesos back into US dollars" anywhere. There are several giving advice to exchange as few dollars as possible to pesos for this reason.

Has something in the DR changed recently regarding this??

Thanks again,
Bean

[Marc]

Depending on how much you are changing, it may be tough. To withdraw anything over about $1000USD we are sure to call the bank first so they can get the US cash for us...

If you are talking smaller sums, there shouldn't be a problem...for larger sums you may just have to wait a day.

In my experience, that is....

marc

[Mcinbrass]

How many pesos will it cost to buy one US$?

[Carib_Bean]

Sorry for not getting to my point more succinctly (Marc), but as mentioned above, I'm interested in gambling at low minimums, so I'm not too concerned about changing in 17,000+ pesos at the end of the night.

My POINT was that it's been mentioned many times in current posts on another reputable board that RD$ CANNOT be exchanged back to US$. Seemed strange to me, too.

No need to reply. I'm leaving tomorrow for the DR, and I'll be sure to post exactly what the situation is . . . . on both boards.


Thanks for your replies,
Bean

[Jim Hinsch]

You've experienced the "blind repeating the blind" syndrome. It is rampant on this forum and on Debbie's page. That's why it is so important to consider your sources and take every piece of advice with a grain of salt, including mine.

It has ALWAYS been possible to buy US Dollars with Dominican pesos. It has not always been convenient, or cheap. These days, it is eaiser, but still not cheap (the spread between buy and sell is larger than for more popular currencies).

[kes5874]

Carib-Bean;

I'm nopt an expert on gambling (much less gambling in DR), but I have also seen those comments about not being able to change pesos to US$ (did you see that on Debbie's Dominican travel?). It seems like it depends on the casino. If you have any particular casinos in mind, you may want to look them up on the web and check their policies.

Good luck. And for what it's worth, stay very far away from Keno games!

[Carib_Bean]

Thanks, Jim -- Great advice and I hope your message becomes widespread across the boards.

KES -- Thanks for your tips, too. Not a keno player, so won't get involved in that sucker game down there -- I read the DR1 review on the game, yikes!

Gotta get packing -- trip report coming in a week or two!

Mucho gracias everyone,
Bean

[Escott]

Well I am only knowledgable about one casino and that is the one in Sosua.

You can gamble in either dollars or pesos. Min on dollars is 5 bux in blackjack and min in pesos is 50 peso. When you are finished they give you back whatever you are playing in.

At the casino in Sosua if you give them 300 pesos they give you 350 in specially marked chips. You cant cash those chips untill they are played. You get green chips to play with and red chips back when you win. Good deal.

Other than that I haven't played other games so cant help you.

Good luck and break a leg