Dream away – lottery betting is big industry in DR

[Dolores]

The lottery and sports betting industry continues strong in the country, despite the negative impact on the population. She significant volume of the betting reveals the optimistic nature of Dominicans who dream of hitting the jackpot to solve everyday problems. Recent coverage in El Dia by journalists Dilenni Bonilla and Joan Vargas looks into the amount of companies and money involved, and the labor infringements by the vast network of betting agencies, with the authorities looking the other way.

The Federación Nacional de Bancas de Loterías (Fenabancas) says about RD$350 million are gambled every day by the hopeful Dominican population. There are more betting shops than corner grocery stores. The gambling businesses have set up shops in front of schools, medical centers or even churches. In pharmacies and food stores they offer the services via Verifones or other electronic...

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[JD Jones]

A great method of stealing from the poor for the rich.

 

[pinonuevo]

The French philosopher, Voltaire, is reputed to have said that “lotteries are a tax on stupidity.”

 

[windeguy]

A great method of stealing from the poor for the rich.

This is a huge pet peeve of my wife's . I don't gamble so it has no direct effect on me.

 

[JLSawmam]

These bancas might be the only businesses that outnumber salons! The bar I go to in Puerto Plata has at least three within a block's distance.

 

[PJT]

You can travel most anywhere within the DR and find a banca without effort. What is really puzzling is one can enjoy the eye treasures traveling in the sparse campo with casas and farms hundreds of meters separating each other, then come across a 6' x 8' banca intruding the way. No other enterprise(s) nearby or in remote distance. The pleasant ambiance is lost to Banca Fulano. Go figure! Conclusion, it is a social and cultural thing not to change in this lifetime.

Regards,

PJT

 

[NanSanPedro]

The French philosopher, Voltaire, is reputed to have said that “lotteries are a tax on stupidity.”

I always have said it's a tax on the mathematically impaired.

 

[CristoRey]

Ah yes...
The saga continues. Over the years there have been multiple attempts to enforce rules, laws and
regulations on these betting parlors but it ain't happening. A fool and his money are soon parted.
Note the dates on these articles.

May 23, 2017 | 11:41 am
Dominican Republic lawmakers own betting parlors, clash with key bill

January 3, 2018 | 2:55 pm
Stricter controls on betting parlors, casinos is now in effect

May 4, 2021 | 10:13 am
Flood of illegal betting parlors ‘alarming’

March 30, 2022 | 11:58 am
Betting parlors had to keep mum on US$19.0M swindle

Source: Dominican Today

 

[AlterEgo]

Back in the days when men walked everywhere with the big boards filled with sheets of lottery numbers, I’d take a look for any that ended in my favorite number. I never won a penny.

My mother-in-law hit it pretty big a couple of times (over $75,000USD). She was lucky.

So, all those Banca places replaced the paper tickets??

 

[livio]

A lot of money laundering using the lottery in DR.

 

[Yolatengo]

I always have said it's a tax on the mathematically impaired.

Who needs a 9 to 5 when 5'll getcha 10...!
In Canada we refer to lotteries as Fools' Tax
This isn't intended to be an editorial but... they're very popular!

 

[reilleyp]

The higher the concentration of poverty in Samana, the higher the concentration of Bancas. Sad. Worse than drugs and alcohol. I see guys walking in 10 year old crocks and filthy clothes about 8 times per day to check the numbers.

 

[JD Jones]

My mechanic is one of those guys who has dumped a ton of money in Bancas. Every job he does he'll make a big bet. I gave up trying to convince him he was crazy.

He once hit the lottery for 500K a couple of years ago.

Made a down payment on a new car (cheap Nissan station wagon) then started making REALLY big bets at the banca until he burned through it all.

It's a disease.

 

[Manuel01]

The Damage done to Society and the Country is Indescribable.
Mothers can't feed their kids because of their Gambling addiction.
Youth steal to finance this habit.
We see only the cubits at every corner but we don't see the misery that it creates.
i once talked to a local judge and i quote his words:
" If they would remove betting and Lottery in this country, half of us (Judges) could be laid off".