The National Association of Independent Lottery Banks noted that there are 73,000 banks that have started the regularization process, but encounter obstacles.
Dominican Republic.- More than a year has passed since the Dominican government decreed the start of the regularization process for lottery banks in the territory, however, there is still a large number of banks that have not been able to join the process.
The National Association of Independent Lottery Banks (ASONABIL) reported that there are a series of obstacles that prevent the regularization of lottery banks in the country. Specifically, Ruddy Tejada, president of the association, said that there are about 73,000 banks that have started the regularization process, but face numerous obstacles that prevent its completion.
Tejada expressed his concern about the installation of machines known as "verifones in colmados", which, according to him, are affecting businesses with decades of history.
Furthermore, he mentioned that many concessionaires are installing banks without respecting the minimum distance of 200 meters established by law, which harms the owners of these businesses that operate legally and comply with all legal requirements.
In this regard, Tejada told the local media El Nuevo Diario: "It is desperate to see how some illegal businesses not only evade taxes and regulations, but also steal sales from legitimate businesses that comply with all current regulations."
He also proposed the need to establish effective control over these practices through a working table that includes the relevant authorities and the affected sectors.
See also: Fenabanca denounces illegal operations and raids by the Directorate of Casinos and Gambling
For his part, Charly Peralta, secretary general of ASONABIL, pointed out that the General Directorate of Casinos, dependent on the Ministry of Finance, should be in charge of regulating the lottery banks that operate illegally. However, he regretted that there are obstacles that prevent this action from being carried out effectively.
Peralta highlighted: "The Dominican government has trained people to collaborate in the regulation of this sector, but it is crucial to eliminate the obstacles that currently prevent adequate decision-making."
The figure was up 10.9 per cent in year-on-year terms.
The Philippines.- The Department of Tourism (DOT) has reported that the Philippines received 3.7 million international arrivals in the first eight months of the year. That’s an increase of 10.9 per cent when compared to last year. The figure represented 92 per cent of arrivals in the country and includes people classified as overseas Filipinos.
South Korea remained the country’s biggest source market, accounting for 26.8 per cent of arrivals (1.08m). The figure was up 13 per cent when compared to last year. The United States was the second-biggest source market with 637,592 arrivals, 15.8 per cent of all arrivals.
There were 260,773 arrivals from Japan, up 33.6 per cent in year-on-year terms, while China fell to the fourth spot, with 174,328 arrivals (6 per cent). This was a 38.3 per cent increase from last year. In August, 21,298 arrivals from China were recorded, a 25.3 per cent decline in month-on-month terms.
