Betting in Santo Domingo

Facing the Caribbean Sea to the south from the mouth of the Ozama River, Santo Domingo is the capital city of the Dominican Republic. Its metro population of just over 2.9 million residents makes it not only the nation’s largest city but also the largest city in the Caribbean, ahead of San Juan, Puerto Rico by more than 1.2 million people.

Santo Domingo has the distinction of being the oldest continuously inhabited European settlement in the Americas and the first seat of Spanish colonial rule in the New World. It was founded in 1496 by Bartholomew Columbus, who called it “La Nueva Isabela” Queen Isabella I of Spain. In 1495, it was renamed “Santo Domingo” in honor of Saint Dominic. Although the city was briefly known as “Ciudad Trujillo” from 1930 to 1961, after the Dominican Republic’s dictator, Rafael Trujillo, the city’s full official name since then has been Santo Domingo de Guzmán.

Many of Santo Domingo’s most notable landmarks are located within the so-called “Zona Colonial” district, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1990. Bordered by the Río Ozama, the Colonial Zone features many 16th century buildings, including palatial houses and majestic churches reflecting the late medieval architectural style. Additional cultural venues can be found at Plaza de la Cultura, which houses the Teatro Nacional (National Theater) and various museums. And another big attraction in the centre of the city is the Centro Olímpico Juan Pablo Duarte, a sports complex used during the 2003 Pan American Games.

Many of the finest casinos in Santo Domingo are located inside luxury resorts facing the Caribbean from their seaside locations on Avenida George Washington. One of them is the Renaissance Jaragua Hotel & Casino, offering a 24/7 gaming space packed with 345 gaming machines and 32 table games, plus four restaurants and 300 guestrooms. Popular games include Blackjack, Craps, Mini-Baccarat, Poker and Roulette.

Another neighbouring resort is the Melia Santo Domingo Hotel and Casino Diamante. Open daily from 4pm to 6am, it features 50 gaming machines and 16 table games, including Blackjack, Craps and Roulette. The property also has 245 guestrooms and three restaurants—La Canasta for Creole cuisine, D’Vinci for Italian/Mediterranean fare and Café Casabe for light dining.

A few blocks up the coast is the Atlantis World Casino Santo Domingo. Its 107,600-square-foot gaming space features 300 gaming machines and 16 table games, including Baccarat, Blackjack and Roulette. The property has two restaurants, three bars and 200 guestrooms. And also along Avenida George Washington is the El Napolitano Hotel & Casino, open from 4pm to 6am daily with 40 gaming machines, 15 table games and 72 guestrooms.

A block away from the Caribbean waters on Avenida Independencia is the Casino Mirage with its 200 gaming machines inside the 73-room San Geronimo Hotel. Its gaming space is open from 11am till 3am daily. Meanwhile, the Barceló Gran Hotel Lina Spa & Casino can be found on Avenida Maximo Gomez near the central sports complex. Its 64 gaming machines and 16 table games are in operation daily from noon to 5am, and there are 217 guestrooms complemented by two restaurants, two bars, two swimming pools and a luxury spa.

Other popular casinos in the Santo Domingo business district include the Occidental El Embajador Hotel & Casino in the business district with its 50 gaming machines and 12 table games, and the Santo Domingo Princess Casino inside the 101-room Princess Hotel, open from noon to 4am daily with 400 gaming machines and 22 table games. Another venue popular with business visitors is the Paradise Plaza Casino with its 150 gaming machines inside the Holiday Inn Santa Domingo on the west side.

Published on: 22/04/2013

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