Panama confirmed a structural transformation of its gambling industry during the first quarter of 2026. Gross wagers reached US$779.6 million, representing a 16.1 percent increase compared with the US$671.7 million reported during the same period in 2025, according to figures released by the National Institute of Statistics and Census (INEC) under the Office of the Comptroller General, headed by Comptroller General Anel Flores De La Lastra. The results reinforce online gambling as the primary growth driver in the country's regulated gaming market.
The strongest performance came from internet gaming and betting, which generated US$170.4 million between January and March, posting a 60.7 percent year-on-year increase and becoming the fastest-growing segment in the industry. Meanwhile, Type A slot machines remained the dominant vertical, generating US$552.1 million, representing more than 70 percent of the regulated market, although growth slowed to 6.9 percent.
Other gaming segments delivered mixed results. Table games produced US$43.7 million, up 25 percent, while bingo halls generated US$1.6 million, growing 5.2 percent. Horse-racing wagering fell 8.4 percent to US$6.7 million, while sports betting shops reported US$4.4 million, a decline of 1.4 percent. Instant games generated approximately US$689,000 during the quarter.
The most significant contrast emerged from the National Charity Lottery (LNB), currently led by Isidro Sigfrido Carbonell Olmos. Gross lottery sales fell from US$206.6 million during the first quarter of 2025 to US$199.2 million in 2026, a decline of 3.6 percent. Net lottery revenue dropped even more sharply, falling from US$41 million to US$32.6 million, a reduction of nearly 20 percent.
Isidro Sigfrido Carbonell Olmos
Across the industry, net wagers reached US$96 million, up 7 percent year-on-year. Type A slot machines generated US$75.6 million in net revenue, while online gaming contributed US$9.2 million, increasing 39 percent.
The sector is supervised by the Gaming Control Board (Junta de Control de Juegos), attached to the Ministry of Economy and Finance, led by Minister Felipe Chapman, while gaming regulation is overseen by Executive Secretary Ventura Vega Batista. Panama currently operates 22 full casinos, 31 slot-machine venues, 45 sports betting locations, three bingo halls and one racetrack. However, official statistics do not include wagering activity generated by Type C slot machines, which operate in small businesses and retail establishments, meaning the real size of Panama’s gambling market is likely significantly larger than officially reported.
