Dominica is a country situated in the eastern part of the Caribbean island Hispaniola, which is known for its culture and history. Lately, it has also turned into a place for the control and legalization of different types of gambling especially sports betting and betting sites in Dominica. This article is a complete guide to the Dominica’s gambling laws, its history of gambling legislation, the agencies that are involved in regulation and licensing types available there as well as their related fees and taxes.
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Dominica Gambling Legislation History
The face of gambling in Dominica has changed a lot through the years. At the beginning, casinos were the main attraction of gambling but by the late 1980s and early 1990s sports betting began to get more popular. In the beginning, the government faced a problem of how to tax this rapidly growing area.
Key Legislative Milestones
- Pre-1996: Casinos were charged to the amount of money that was spent by gamblers, which is a method that turned out to be difficult for administrators. Even though this tax exemption also included sports betting, it was mainly of no use.
- 1997: The government changed its tax policy to the casinos and started taxing them according to the number of tables and machines they had.
- 2000: The value-added tax (ITBIS) on gambling activities was introduced but it failed.
- 2006: The Ministry of Finance was given the right to issue licenses for electronic establishments of games of chance under Law 494-06.
- 2011: The first e-gaming license was given to Amaya, which is now called The Stars Group.
- 2024: The resolution 136-2024 was proposed to put in place a wider regulation system for online gambling.
Regulatory Agencies
The Dirección de Casinos y Juegos de Azar (Directorate of Casinos and Gaming) which is under the Ministry of Finance, is the main regulatory body that controls gambling activities in Dominica. This agency is the one that gives out licenses for gambling and also checks if everything is going according to the country’s gambling laws.
Gambling Law and Regulation in Dominica – 5 Things to Know
Kinds of Gambling Licenses and Their Costs
Dominica has different types of gambling licenses, each with its own fees and rules. These licenses are the main factor that any business has to get in order to work legally within the country.
Licensing Requirements
All applicants must provide:
- Criminal Records: From the country of their origin, translated and recognized by the Attorney General’s office.
- Affidavit of Origin and Legality of Funds: For all shareholders.
- Performance Bond: Costing $341,000.
License Types and Fees
- Casino License: It is valid for five years and non-transferable in the first three years. Fee: $346,000.
- Sports Betting License: It is valid for five years and non-transferable in the first three years. Fee: $260,000.
- Other Applications (e. g. , Fantasy Sports, Poker, Bingo): Valid for five years, not transferable in the first three years. Fee: $170,000.
Important Events
- June 2019 – March 2024: Various stages of the regulatory process and all its versions that resulted in the approval of Resolution 136-2024.
- 26 March 2024: The Minister of Finance, Jose Manuel Vicente signs the Resolution 136-2024 into law.
Gambling Taxes of Betting Sites in Dominica
The gambling operators in Dominica are taxed at a corporate rate of 25%, but there is no extra tax on gambling. Players are not taxed for their gambling winnings, thus making Dominica a place that is both attractive to the operators and gamblers.
Taxation Milestones
- Pre-1996: Presumptive income tax is the one calculated on the gross amount spent by gamblers.
- 1997: The taxation is calculated according to the number of tables and machines.
- 2000: The ITBIS was not successful.
- 2024: The 29% gross gaming revenue rate from land-based casinos to online operations is the expected continuation.
Prohibited and Permitted of Betting Sites in Dominica
The new regulatory framework of Resolution 136-2024 contains the full list of permitted and not allowed bets in details.
Permitted Bets
- Sports Betting: Apart from football, basketball, and horse racing there are many other sports.
- Casino Games: These are the types of gambling games that are included in a casino.
- Other Games: Fantasy sports, bingo and other games of chance.
Prohibited Bets
- Underage Gambling: Strictly prohibited.
- Unauthorized Games: All games that are not officially approved by the Directorate of Casinos and Gaming.
Compliance and Responsible Gambling
Operators are required to implement responsible gambling measures, including:
Self-Exclusion Programs: Compulsory for all operators.
Session Time Limits: The clock with the time elapsed since the beginning of a session.
Betting Limits: Opportunities to cut the amount of bets and time spent on gambling.
Responsible Gaming Notices: Will be visible on all gaming sites for the rest of your life.
Conclusion
The new regulations contained in the Resolution 136-2024 are a major break through for Dominica’s gambling industry. This total system of the market is designed to make it more competitive and visible, so that multinational operators will be attracted and state revenue will be increased. Wealthy people who are into luxury real estate can now see the fair, transparent and profitable market for their investments in Dominica sports betting and betting sites.