The National Federation of Lottery Betting Shops (Fenabanca) issued a stern warning on Tuesday, 14 April 2026, regarding the massive and irregular expansion of betting shops across the Dominican Republic. The federation claims this “dangerous growth” is fueled by unfair competition and is occurring under the alleged complicity of the Ministry of Hacienda and other state entities.
During a press conference, Fenabanca leadership highlighted a pervasive lack of taxation and rampant fiscal evasion by unauthorized operators. José Armando Cedeño, vice president of the organization, asserted that the current climate violates tax and gaming laws 139-11 and 253-12, as well as multiple regulatory decrees.
Cedeño noted that illegal establishments now “occupy every corner” to such an extent that they outnumber legally registered businesses. He further criticized the disregard for the “Regulated Prize Plan,” a framework designed to maintain market stability. Unauthorized shops are reportedly promising prize amounts that drive legal operators toward bankruptcy while enriching a few unregulated actors.
The federation expressed disbelief at the government’s lack of intervention, estimating that the state is losing at least RD$5 billion annually in uncollected taxes. Cedeño argued that these funds could provide a critical buffer against the ongoing global economic crisis.
“It is unheard of, and therefore impossible not to think that some authority is benefiting,” Cedeño stated, suggesting that the government’s refusal to properly supervise the sector points to corruption. He warned that the lack of enforcement is pushing the Dominican Republic toward an anarchic “ludo-state” (a state dominated by gambling interests).
Exploitation of vulnerable spaces
A particularly grave concern raised by the federation is the use of mobile terminals, known as “verifones,” to sell lottery numbers inside sensitive locations, including healthcare and educational centers.
Fenabanca leaders, including President Juan de Jesús and Legal Counsel Franklin Cubeiro, emphasized that these illegal remote sales violate the rights of children, adolescents, and the sick.
Failed negotiations with the Abinader Administration
Despite the severity of the crisis, Fenabanca reported that their pleas have gone unanswered. The federation has met with President Luis Abinader on six separate occasions and has held additional meetings with Hacienda Minister Magin Diaz.
“This moment, as the President himself indicates, is ideal for dialogue and contribution,” Cedeño said. He reiterated that the thousands of tax-paying shops represented by Fenabanca could be more efficient contributors to the national treasury if the government fulfilled its legal obligation under Law 494-06 to regulate, organize, and supervise all gambling activities.
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El Nacional
15 April 2026