TLDR
- The Dominican Republic has launched an anti-crisis economic package targeting 40–50 billion pesos in new revenue
- Large companies earning over 1 billion pesos annually will face a 3-point corporate tax surcharge, raising the rate to 30%
- Casinos and gambling activities face higher taxes, though exact rates haven’t been announced
- A new law would turn the National Lottery into an independent state body overseeing all gambling in the country
- The package also includes new taxes on e-cigarettes, e-transfers, and airline tickets
Dominican Republic’s Anti-Crisis Package Targets Big Business and Gambling
The Dominican Republic has rolled out a major economic reform package designed to shore up public finances and protect lower-income citizens.
Finance Minister Magín Díaz said the plan aims for “a more sustainable state of public finances and the protection of the most vulnerable sectors.” The government expects to raise between 40 and 50 billion Dominican pesos from the measures.
The package has four main pillars: pro-growth policies, tax simplification, anti-evasion measures, and fiscal consolidation.
The core goal is to keep public spending levels stable so the government can continue funding investment programs and social protection.
Higher Taxes on Large Corporations
The most direct revenue measure is a temporary surcharge on Corporate Income Tax for large companies.
Businesses earning more than 1 billion pesos per year will pay an extra 3 percentage points on top of the existing rate, pushing it to 30%. That applies to roughly 0.8% of all active companies in the country.
The surcharge runs through the end of 2028.
Other revenue measures include raising e-transfer check fees from 0.15% to 0.2%, a new selective consumption tax on electronic cigarettes, and a $10 increase on airline ticket taxes.
Casinos and Gambling Face New Levies
The government has also signaled higher taxes on casinos and gambling-related activities, though the specific rates have not yet been disclosed.
These measures are part of a broader push to formalize and regulate the gambling sector in the Dominican Republic.
A new piece of legislation, backed by Senator Pedro Tineo, proposes turning the National Lottery into a fully independent state institution.
Under the proposal, the National Lottery would move out from under the Ministry of Finance and become the main regulator for lotteries, sports betting, casinos, and electronic games across the country.
Currently, the National Lottery shares oversight duties with the Directorate of Casinos and Games of Chance.
If approved, the new body would handle inspection, regulation, and enforcement of all gambling activities.
The reforms follow the government’s activation of the National Regularization Plan for lottery offices and betting houses under Decree 197-26.
Tax collection and legal compliance under that plan will be handled by the General Directorate of Internal Taxes.
National Lottery Administrator Teófilo Tabar has been named temporary head of the regularization program.
The full details of the casino tax changes are expected to follow as the legislative process moves forward.
