The National Association of Independent Lottery Booths indicated that there are 73,000 booths 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 booths in the territory, however, there is still a large number of booths that have not been able to join the process.
The National Association of Independent Lottery Booths (ASONABIL) reported that there are a series of obstacles that prevent the regularization of lottery booths in the country. Specifically, Ruddy Tejada, president of the association, said that there are about 73,000 booths 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 booths 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 booths 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."
A public hearing found 80 per cent in support of the project.
Thailand.- Deputy finance minister Julapun Amornvivat has announced that the government will move forward with the bill to legalise entertainment complexes with casinos after 80 per cent of attendees at a public hearing supported the project. According to The Bangkok Post, the bill will be revised based on the feedback from the hearing and then submitted to the cabinet for decision.
The proposed legislation includes 30-year casino licences, with the option for a 10-year renewal. Casinos would be part of large entertainment complexes with hotels, convention centres, and amusement parks. In May, Julapun Amornvivat suggested that the casino component would be no more than around 5 per cent of the project’s total area.
The draft bill stipulates that complexes should be located in designated areas and operated by companies registered in Thailand with a minimum paid-up capital of THB10bn (US$283m). A policy panel led by the prime minister and a regulatory agency would oversee the industry.
