President Mejia would like to eliminate the slot and gaming machines that have been installed in stores and entertainment spots all around cities. Yesterday, he issued Decree 323-2001 that restricts drawing to Wednesdays and Saturdays for lottery shops, electronic lotteries and other types of gambling operations that depend on the state lottery. This does not affect the drawing days of National Lottery, according to the decree. "I want Dominicans to save the cents they earn, not wager them away, and rather invest them in their family’s welfare," said the President. He spoke with the press at the end of the Government Council held yesterday in Villa Mella. He said the measure was intended to improve the purchasing power of the poor, the most prone to gamble. Nevertheless, he told El Caribe newspaper, "If I do not see that people are rectifying in their ways, I will set back the decree." The vice president of the Association of Lottery Shops of the National District, Juan Fernandez told El Caribe that the government receives RD$400-RD$425 million a year in duties charged for licensing betting shop operations. He said that the country cannot resist more than 15,000 betting shops. He blamed the present administrator of the state-operated National Lottery, Miguel Vasquez for the increase in betting shops to 25,000 at present. He complained that the decree will force betting shops to again go underground. He said the sector employs 100,000 people. El Caribe reports that a study carried out by the National Lottery shows that thousands of low income Dominicans bet RD$200-$300 a day.
