Dominica is a beautiful island located in the Caribbean, and is slowly establishing a positive view on how it deals with issues concerning the regulation of gambling, especially in the aspects of bookmakers and sports betting. Here, the authors try to give the readers a clear understanding of the Dominica bookmakers’ gambling laws and legislations, the background of these laws, the part of regulatory bodies, the forbidden and allowed bets, the licensing procedures, the fees, and taxes.
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Table of Contents
Summary of Key Events
Evolution of Gambling Laws in Dominica
It can be safe to say that Dominica opened its doors to the regulated gambling business in the late 1980s and early 1990s. At first, the gambling was not very diverse and developed, but it became more extensive, including the sports betting in the early 1990s. Here is a detailed look at the evolution of Dominica’s gambling laws:
Early Regulations
- 1980s: Before, the gambling sector of Dominica was mainly subjected to the presumptive income tax where it was based on the gross expenditure of the gamblers in the casinos. Nonetheless, this was rather difficult to do to the extent that it required proper management.
- 1996: The government shifted its policy in the taxation of casinos and began to tax them according to the number of tables and machines which represented revenue. This approach was helpful in the efficient collection of tax revenues however there was no taxation on the sport betting industry.
The analysis of the Value Added Tax (VAT) introduction
- 2000: The specific ITBIS on gambling was proposed where the tax base was set at between 30 and 40 percent of collected taxes depending on the number of tables and machines in casinos. But to the latter, this endeavour did not yield the intended results.
Legalization of Online Gaming
- 2006: This right was given to the Ministry of Finance through Law 494-06 with regards to games of chance which include electronic establishments.
- 2011: The first e-gaming license was granted to Amaya Inc which is now known as The Stars Group. Nevertheless, the legal norms enshrised in Ley 139-11 and Ley 494-06 did not change the situation significantly and Amaya remained the only license holder until the recent years.
Recent Developments
- 2024: The Dominican Republic has adopted Resolution 136-2024 as a new regulation with regard to online casinos, betting on sports. This new structure will be governed by the Ministry of Finance and the Directorate of Casinos and Gaming with a well-structured regulation.
Regulatory Agencies of Dominica Bookmakers
Dominica gambling laws are administered by the Dirección de Casinos y Juegos de Azar (Directorate of Casinos and Gaming) that is under the Ministry of Finance. This agency is responsible for:
- Granting of licenses for online casinos and lotteries.
- Supervising the adherence to the legal principles concerning gambling.
- Promoting fairness and integrity in the gambling business.
Prohibited and Allowed Bets
Dominica’s regulatory framework outlines specific rules regarding prohibited and allowed bets:
- Allowed Bets: Provide for the conventional sports book, which covers games such as football, basketball, cricket, and athletics among others. This also includes in-play bets, futures, or prop bets.
- Prohibited Bets: Often, limit bets that are likely to be fixed or related to fraud. These are bets on sports activities involving non-professional athletes, political events and any other event that is prohibited by the laws of the particular region.
License and Charges for Bookies
Dominica bookmakers’ licensing procedure is quite elaborate and a guarantee that only credible players get into the market. Here’s a breakdown of the license types and associated fees:
- Casino License: It costs $346,000 and is good for five years. It is non-transferable for the first three years of employment in the institution.
- Sports Betting License: It costs $260,000 and has same validity and non-transferability conditions as the casino licenses.
- Other Applications License: The Bar is $170,000 and it could have probably been for fantasy sports, poker, and bingo.
Only specific requirements have to be fulfilled and the proof of the responsible gambling such as self-exclusion tools and methods of limiting bets and time have to be presented.
Taxation of Bookmakers
Nevertheless, Dominica is promoted as a pro-business tax haven, its corporate tax rate is 25 percent. Nevertheless, there is no other gambling tax to be paid on top of this one. Gambling winnings are not taxed for players.
Major Sports and Accomplishments
Dominica sports have a long history that can be associated with many achievements mainly in athletics and cricket. Noteworthy moments include:
- 1912: The first documented cricket match indicating people’s love for the sport in the island.
- 2004: Dominica thus has a reason to cheer as sprinter Alleyne Francique bagged a gold medal in the 400m race at the Olympics.
- 1990s: Kirtley Ambrose has not only done himself proud but has also established himself as one of the finest players in the field of cricket.
- Various Years: The Dominica national football team has twice reached the level of the CONCACAF Gold Cup.
- Caribbean Free Trade Association (CARIFTA) Games: Some of the achievements that have been recorded include the country winning gold in athletics particularly in the 100m and 200m races.
Conclusion
Dominica’s method of regulating the bookmakers and sports betting is to allow their existence as a means of boosting the economy while enforcing standard moral values in gambling. The new regulatory environment which was set to begin in 2024 holds a lot of potential for the improvement of the competitiveness of the market. Thus, as the country progresses in this area, high-net-worth individuals and gambling enthusiasts have a lot to anticipate in terms of a developed and regulated betting sector.
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