Gambling and Casinos in Panama

Growth of gambling in Panama

The latest report from the Gaming Control Board on gross bets (which includes prizes paid) shows that Panamanians see gaming as a means of economic recovery. The tourism industry is now reporting a slow recovery, with many hotels still closed, leading some to believe that domestic tourists, rather than foreign tourists, are the ones receiving support.

The preferred options are machines and games of chance. The main monthly economic indicators released by the prosecutor in conjunction with sources such as the Ministry of Economy and Finance, the Gaming Control Board and the National Charity Lottery detail the progress. The number of type “A” slot machines increased by 110.5%, sports betting booths by 121.2%, gaming tables by 89.2%, the number of racetracks by 94.3 % and bingo halls at 84.3%. For its part, gross lottery sales increased by 126.0%.

The same report, but with betting data, reveals that the global net betting amounts reported by the Gaming Control Board increased by 98.0%, 106.8% for type A slot machines, 116.8% for bets on sporting events, 72.0% for gaming tables, and 77.4% for bingo halls. The racecourse saw a 7.5% reduction on its own. Lottery sales increased by 109.0%.

The progressive opening of businesses, including gaming establishments and casinos, has encouraged Panamanians to gamble as a way to counteract the economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. According to data from the Comptroller General of the Republic, bets for $1,129.6 million have been reported in the first eight months of the year.

Most of the betting is done on keno and video poker machines. Only in these $702.50 million had been placed in bets. They are followed by sportsbooks with $41 million, the gaming table with $38 million, the arena with $18 million and the bingo halls with $2.5 million.

Sports betting and other hubs of activity have become the new mode of operation. Numerous virtual betting companies have sprung up in recent months, even during the pandemic lockdown. It allows you to place bets without showing up at the gaming venues and halls, and payments are made online. According to reports from the General Directorate of Revenue, the gaming and betting industry contributes $5.6 million a year to the National Treasury, but this year this income has ceased to be recognized during the months of confinement.

The online gaming license application process

Once all the paperwork is submitted, an application for a license typically takes one to two months to complete.

• Identify qualified applicants to operate under a primary license.
• To ensure that the gambling software and games adhere to the strict rules of the Panama Online Gaming License.
• Acknowledge all fees.
• To monitor earnings payouts and ensure they meet accepted global standards.
• Ensuring that a complete history of all transactions is available for review at any time by government officials or the licensee.
• Compliance with national and international money laundering regulations.

Regulation of casinos and games of chance in Panama

The Gaming Control Board, established in 1947, oversees Panama's gaming industry. According to Panama's gaming laws, gaming establishments must contribute 80% of their winnings to the government. The nation's casinos were once owned by the state, but were privatized in 1997. It is subordinate to the Ministry of Economy and Finance and is in charge of the operation, control, authorization, supervision and oversight of games of chance and activities that have their origin in bets placed in or from the Republic of Panama.

Most of the casinos in Panama are the main draw of the big resort casinos. Additionally, Panama grants licenses for bingo halls and gaming machines outside of casinos.

The control, supervision and regulation of the operation of games of chance, as well as activities that originate bets, solely for the benefit of the State. Identify the game of chance, or the activity that motivated the bets, in each case. Carry out the exploitation activity directly or through third parties.

Developing the gaming industry in Panama is a significant pillar of the economy of this country. Concurrence of legal rules and regulations that keep the gaming industry in Panama innovative and that allow solutions to be provided to the needs and problems arising from the exploitation of games of chance and related activities. Ensure and fight to have a fair, open and risk-free gaming industry in Panama for the government, the betting public and the administrators and operators of games of chance.

Obligation of casinos against money laundering

The Department of Supervision and Regulation of Non-Financial Subjects of the Ministry of Economy and Finance and the Financial Analysis Unit train casino employees on the content of Law 23. This is done with the aim of blinding the casinos and the gaming industry against crimes such as capital theft, financing of terrorism, After the worsening of the financial crises and the attempts to add Panama to the lists of tax havens, which impact the "reputation" of the country and foreign investment, regulatory actions have been strengthened.

It is worth mentioning that the Intendancy fulfills certain functions such as monitoring and evaluating the Non-Financial Reporting Entities, applying the necessary measures and sanctions, and serving as a continuous source of support. In addition, reference is made to article 53 of Law 23, which lists the operations that Non-Financial Subjects are required to record and report, including cash deposits and withdrawals in real or almost real money, changes in the value of bank checks, travel, payment orders that are released to bearer, and purchases and sales of currency that do not comply with legal requirements.

The due diligence of the client, the activity and protection of the registry, the impartial evaluation, the policies of knowledge of the employees, the design of the control system and the requirement of training are fundamental aspects that the Administration monitors.

The real estate and construction industries, as well as games of chance, bingo halls, foreign trade zones and sports stadiums, are among the groups that are under the supervision of the Intendancy for the Supervision and Regulation of Subjects Not MEF financiers.

Panama as an online gaming jurisdiction

Following the privatization of the gaming industry in 1997, Panama has become one of the most successful gaming jurisdictions in the region. The adoption of new gaming laws and regulations has provided investment security for major international gaming operators and, as a result, has provided enthusiasts with access to the latest technological advances in gaming. Gambling has become a popular attraction for visitors to Panama.

Even though the gaming industry in Panama has embraced a lot of technology since it was privatized in 1997, the new gaming laws that came into effect at the time expressly prohibited Panama from being a jurisdiction for online gaming.

The search for online casinos is increasing as more people around the world enjoy gaming, just as the Internet has become an essential tool for many businesses in other markets. Online gambling jurisdictions are rarely regulated, and the financial penalties for crimes related to illegal online gambling in prohibited jurisdictions are quite high.

In an effort to position itself as an Internet gaming jurisdiction, the Gaming Control Board has now written a proposed regulation that would allow online gaming in Panama. The purpose of the rule is to provide for the development of recreational activities through electronic means and other remote communications, subject to certain limitations.

The draft regulation establishes that it will be applicable to long-distance gaming systems that are developed in or from the territory of the Republic of Panama. This rule applies the principle of territoriality, which is used for tax purposes. All foreign-source income is exempt, while domestic and foreign-produced income is still subject to Panamanian tax. Because it may be difficult in some circumstances to determine whether the system applies to Panamanian law, the Gaming Control Board will be responsible for determining whether gambling or betting activities are considered subject to the provisions of Internet gaming regulations. proposals.

The proposed rule defines online gambling as "all activities in which a wager is placed, received, or otherwise sent using any equipment, software, machine, or communications system, and in which the outcome of the game, whether favorable or unfavorable, does not depend primarily on the skill or ability of the player, and/or bets are accepted or placed on future events."

The gaming industry recently adopted the token system as, according to Panamanian law, gambling winnings cannot be claimed or paid. As a result, many casinos encourage customers to purchase tokens to use on the machines.

Contribution of games of chance to the economy of Panama

Panama is one of the Latin American nations where the gaming industry has reached the highest level of maturity and professionalization. The effort made by the body in charge of overseeing the industry, the Gaming Control Board (JCJ), which knew how to provide the necessary tools so that the sector could carry out its work with full legal protection and legal certainty, has contributed to this . It is also important to highlight the contribution of casino owners who provide players with state-of-the-art rooms equipped with the latest technological advances. The last reason for the growth of the casino industry in Panama is its close link with tourism, one of the main economic resources of the country. As a result, during the last 12 years, more than 2 billion dollars have been invested in projects related to tourism in Panama, many of which included the construction of a casino.

Panamanian society is the main beneficiary of this situation, since the State has received 85 million dollars since 2004 in tax revenue from the operators or administrators of gaming establishments that are taxed annually. This sum is reinvested in public works, health and infrastructure projects.

During the first six months of this year, bets were placed for $434.8 million, according to data made available by the JCJ. A very significant figure if we take into account that a total of 658 million dollars were wagered in 2006, compared to 513 million dollars in 2005. Statistics from the Comptroller General of the Republic show that the gaming industry in the country is growing mainly in casinos and poker rooms, while lottery ticket sales only increased by 2.9%. The amount that the industry receives after paying the prizes, giving up control of the JCJ, renting spaces to hotels, paying employee salaries, paying taxes to the Ministry of Economy and Finance, and other expenses is estimated by the Games Administrators Association de Azar (ASAJA) in 31 million dollars.

Current status of casinos and games of chance in Panama

The 14 full casinos in the Republic of Panama are important sources of entertainment for national and foreign visitors. This alternative is comprehensively offered by private operators and includes modern gaming machines and various table game modes with a focus on player treatment. All this without neglecting the complementary services they provide, which include first-class gastronomic establishments, cafes, bars and areas for sporting, artistic and live musical events. All of this is done in a comfortable and controlled environment.

The economic contribution of these gaming establishments is measured by the payments made by the operators to the government, which average around $20 million annually and are deposited in the National Treasury to finance various social and infrastructure projects. The gaming industry generates 3,850 direct jobs and more than 7,000 indirect jobs.

The plans that the Gaming Control Board has in the short and medium term is to consider the possibility of granting more licenses to allow the opening of more casinos. In accordance with the law and the policies of the central government, the Republic of Panama does not encourage gambling; rather, it simply authorizes, regulates, and taxes it. As a result, the Gaming Control Board (JCJ) expects to maintain one of the best gaming industries in the region for the foreseeable future.

The issue of new licenses for casinos is not closed, as long as all legal requirements are met, the proposed investment is justified and the jobs it would generate are generated. This decision is unique and is a unique and exclusive faculty of the Plenary of the JCJ.

The current relationship between the administration of the Gaming Control Board and the Panamanian casinos is quite good and positive. This is due to the open and permanent communication that exists between the operators themselves, the association that unites and represents them, and the JCJ. The common denominator of this relationship is the fairness and objectivity of the regulator towards the regulated, in particular when applying the law and regulations equally to all. This ongoing relationship and mutual respect is essential to the success of this management and theirs.

Self-exclusion and prevention of pathological gambling

The public has returned to the game as a result of the response of the casinos. According to the National Public Health Survey carried out by the Gorgas Institute, the Ministry of Health and the Office of the Attorney General of the Republic, 17.7% of people aged 15 and over have placed bets in recent months. 3.1 million people in that age range responded to the question about playing games of chance in the last 12 months, of which 551,785 said yes. This represents an increase of 17.7% compared to the 82.3% who had not played games of chance in the previous 12 months, with the differences between the two groups being significantly different.

Regarding gender, both men and women registered equal percentages in relation to the practice of games of chance during the last 12 months (17.8% and 17.7%, respectively), so no significant differences were observed by gender nor with the national average. Slightly more than 8 out of 10 people over 15 years of age who played games of chance stated that they had played less than 4 hours a day during the previous 30 days, with no gender differences; however, 9.1% reported gambling for more than 12 hours a day, with women gambling 1% more than men. For gambling more than 12 hours a day, 35-39 year olds years register 1.7 times the national average, while almost 9 out of 10 people between 25 and 29 years old play no more than 4 hours a day. Given the category of daily time dedicated to games of chance for more than 12 hours, the indigenous area recorded the highest number. This is because about 1 in 4 residents of this area support this response. It was also the zone with the lowest score for playing less than 4 hours.

Regarding behavior by area, it was found that almost one in two people aged 15 or over in urban and rural areas -19% and 17.4%, respectively- said they had played games of chance in the last 12 months, while that only 2.9% of Native Americans said the same thing: a 14.8% difference from the national average and a significant difference from the other two areas and the national average. The casinos are contracted to the country and are always under the watchful eye of the JCJ, the Intendancy of Supervision and Regulation of Non-Financial Subjects and the Financial Analysis Unit (UAF). Currently, the industry maintains 44 concessions, 13,614 Type A Slot Machines, 6,777 Type C Slot Machines and 191 Gaming Tables.

Characteristics of the gaming industry in Paraguay

Panama is a small but well-known place to play games of chance or have an office. Despite its small size, several well-known companies started their operations there, while it is still difficult to assess the reliability of playing in Panama. Some features are:

• Small jurisdiction for online gaming
• Without rigorous supervision of the operators.
• Regulations for the issuance of licenses
• Private lotteries are not allowed.
• lower costs

Particularities of the Law

Indeed, the country has very lax laws governing gambling activities. This represents a benefit for licensees and a risk for players. Numerous requirements must be met to apply for a license. The following points are just a few examples: obey the law; not have a criminal past; have a legal representative in the country.

However, after receiving a license, government supervision is reduced, so there is no longer strict supervision over the business. Residents of Panama can choose to play on foreign websites even though the reputation of licensed Panamanian gambling sites varies widely.

The Gaming Commission issues gaming licenses in Panama. This regulatory body issues licenses for online bingo, online poker and sports betting. By contrast, private lotteries are not allowed in the country. The only legal lottery in the state is the National Charity Lottery.

Regarding the fees, it does not take a lot of money to start an online betting business in Panama. They pay $40,000 the first year, then $20,000 in subsequent years.

New taxes for games of chance in Panama

Panama wants to impose a 5% tax on games of chance to avoid pension increases. As reported by the Government of Panama, which proposes by law the application of a 5% gaming tax to avoid an increase in pension and retirement benefits that would require around 71 million dollars annually in financing.

According to information from the Panamanian Presidency, the project, which has yet to be approved by the National Assembly (AN-Parliament), "includes increasing the tax base of taxes applied to gambling and the extraction of non-metallic minerals." This bill proposes that the player pay the tax in the case of games of chance, and that the tax would apply to bingo halls, casinos, slot machines and sports betting.

The National Charity Lottery and the Hippodrome are now exempt from paying the new tax. In this way, as the player approaches the box, "the casino makes the retention, moreover, the casino has the obligation to make the retention."

The gaming industry agrees with the proposal and some precautions should be taken to prevent players from changing their gaming preferences to avoid paying the tax. In turn, there is a "tax on prizes" won in gambling games in Panama, but "the influence it has on income is not significant."

The government has said that 70.8 million dollars are needed each year to be able to face the increase in pensions and retirement benefits of more than 167,000 beneficiaries. These increases would range from $50 to $20 each month, depending on the amount of pension or retirement payment received each month, which is now between $250 and $800. The player pays the tax in the case of games of chance, and the tax will be collected at bingo halls, casinos, slot machines and sporting events.