Panama City, November 9, 2026. Panama’s gaming industry recorded US$2.4929 billion in gross wagers between January and September 2026, representing 16.6% year-over-year growth, equivalent to an additional US$354.3 million. The online segment drove the expansion with US$626.2 million (+53.7%), according to a report published on October 30 by the National Institute of Statistics and Census (INEC).
- Panama online gambling surges 59.5%
- Panama tops US$1.6bn in bets and reinforces lottery controls
Type A slot machines led the market with US$1.6983 billion (+7.5%), accounting for 68.1% of nationwide wagering volume. Online betting represented 25.1%, compared with 19.1% in 2025. The breakdown included casino table games, US$128.1 million (+17.7%); horse racing, US$20.2 million (−7.7%); retail sports betting, US$13.6 million (+1.8%); bingo, US$4.96 million (+4.3%); and instant games, US$1.56 million (−39.2%).
Ventura Vega Batista
The National Charity Lottery, reported separately, generated US$612.7 million in sales (−1.7%). Its Director General is Isidro Sigfrido Carbonell Olmos, who was confirmed on June 4. The report also recorded US$295.1 million in net wagers (+7.6%), afterwards payouts. Slot machines contributed US$227.6 million, online gaming US$33.9 million (+43.4%), and table games US$23.8 million.
In September, online wagering reached US$78.6 million (+20.2%), following the July peak of US$84 million. The statistics were provided by the Gaming Control Board (JCJ), whose Executive Secretary is Ventura Vega Batista and whose Board is chaired by Deputy Minister of Finance Fausto Fernández de León. The regulator operates under the Ministry of Economy and Finance, headed by Felipe Chapman.
Under President José Raúl Mulino’s administration, INEC, directed by José Francisco García, publishes the figures through the Office of the Comptroller General, headed by Anel Flores. The regulated market comprises 22 full-service casinos, 31 slot machine halls, 45 retail sports betting venues, three bingo halls, and one racetrack, under JCJ supervision.
