DR1 Daily News - Dominican Republic

For years, gambling has been woven into the fabric of daily life in the Dominican Republic, a reality fostered by a permissive regulatory environment that has allowed betting shops to saturate the national geography. From lottery bancas on nearly every street corner and slot machines in low-income barrios to the unchecked rise of mobile betting apps, the state has effectively covertly supported an ecosystem where wagering is not just accessible, but inescapable, Diario Libre reports.

While this proliferation generates some tax revenue, it has birthed a devastating, less visible public health crisis: a surge in gambling addiction, Diario Libre warns.

According to health experts, the normalization of gambling has masked a pathology that is destroying mental health, household economies, and social stability. What appears to be harmless entertainment, a culturally sanctioned...