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 terminals.
For years, the betting industry spokespeople have defended the sector saying that hundreds of thousands are employed. Yet, Dilenni Bonilla reports for El Dia that while around 200,000 have jobs, most of these are below the minimum wage levels for non-sectorized work and too many do not offer lawful benefits.
She reports that many of the shops do not offer minimum conditions for their employees, including access to a bathroom. The employees need to visit nearby stores to go to the bathroom.
Moreso, El Dia reports that many of these shops do not register their employees with social security, and violate other labor and tax laws. Many of these shops do not offer pregnancy leave, vacations and other required perks. Most of those employed are unskilled women who say they cannot find other jobs.
El Dia reports that according to recent stats from the Casinos and Gambling Department in the Ministry of Hacienda, there are more than 70,193 betting shops in operation nationwide. Of these only 30,974 are legally registered.
Millions hope it will be their day. 21 daily lottery draws take advantage of the local optimism. The lotteries are operated by seven different lotteries in 14 time slots, making the lottery one of the most established and dynamic forms of entertainment among the Dominican population.
In addition raffle tickets and pools are sold by the government’s National Lottery on Sundays, and there are the popular draws of the Loto de Leidsa, which take place on Wednesdays and Saturdays.
Among the lotteries registered with the government are: La Primera, Loteka with their Quiniela Loteka, Mega Chances draws (draws every five minutes), MC Repartidera, El Extra y Toca 3; Leidsa (Pega 3 Más, Quiniela Leidsa, Loto Pool y Super Kino TV); the National Lottery (Juega+ Pega+ y Gana Más, Lotería Real con Tu Fecha, Pega 4, Loto Pool, Nueva Yol Real and Quiniela Real; LoteDom (Quiniela, Quemaito Mayor, Súper Palé and) Agarra 4, and La Suerte Dominicana.
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El Dia
El Dia
9 June 2025