NewsWhore
12-11-2006, 04:40 PM
Believe it or not, there are 25,000 places where one may bet on the lottery or a baseball, football, basketball or hockey game in the Dominican Republic. In Santo Domingo province alone, there are 6,000 betting parlors known as "Bancas de Apuestas". Many of these tiny offices, equipped with just a computer terminal and a small printer, are breaking a law that states that there must be at least 400 meters between each betting parlor. In the last five years, the number of betting parlors has doubled, going from 12,466 in 2001 to 24,816 today. According to National Lottery officials, there are "bancas" just a block apart in some barrios. There are also reports of complaints from private and public schools as well as church groups. An initial fee of RD$50,000 is required to operate one of these betting parlors, and the yearly renewal fee is currently RD$26,000. The new tax "correction" will add another RD$100,000 to the fee and winnings will be taxed at the rate of 25%, instead of 15%.
More... (http://www.dr1.com/index.html#14)
More... (http://www.dr1.com/index.html#14)