Betting in casinos, slot machines and digital platforms has grown in double digits in Panama during the first quarter of 2026, according to data from the Comptroller General of the Republic. Meanwhile, sales of the National Charity Lottery (LNB) have registered a decline.
Gross bets from casino, slot machine and digital platform operators have increased by 16.1%, from 671.7 to 779.6 million dollars.
The main driver of betting growth in the country is type “A” slot machines. This segment recorded bets of 552.1 million dollars between January and March, accounting for 71% of the total.
The sector that has grown the most has been online gaming. Bets on digital platforms stood at 170.4 million dollars during the first quarter, 60.7% more than in 2025.
In contrast, LNB’s gross sales fell by 3.6% between January and March, from 206.6 in 2025 to 199.3 million dollars in the same period of 2026.
On the other hand, gaming tables have also performed well. Bets in this segment totaled 43.7 million dollars, representing a 25% increase compared to the previous year.
Other sectors have experienced mixed results. Bets at racetracks suffered an 8.4% drop to 6.7 million dollars, while bingo halls jumped 5.2% to 1.6 million dollars.
Meanwhile, sports betting shops recorded a slight decline of 1.4%, with 4.4 million dollars. And instant games moved 689,000 dollars.