The number of sports betting shops in the Dominican Republic has remained stable since 2006 due to a law established to limit growth in the market. There are 1,832 sports betting parlors in the country, and the policy mandates that no more can be added until 2021 at the earliest.
According to CDC Gaming Reports, before the cap the industry was growing too fast for the government’s liking, with the number of betting shops increasing 74 percent in just six years, from 800 in 2000 to 1,393 in 2006. The betting parlors are concentrated in the cities of Santo Domingo, Santiago de los Caballeros, Higüey, La Romana, San Cristóbal and La Vega.
Ricardo Nadal, president of the National Association of Sports Betting Shops said the largest operators in the sector are Presidente, Merengue, Juancito, Gogo, JD, Dugout, Play, Bachata and Maxis.
Sports fans in the country are avid about American sports, particularly baseball, which generates at least 70 percent of all sports betting. Runners-up include pro football, basketball and ice hockey and college basketball.
