Panama Bill Would Criminalize Unauthorized Lottery Sales
2026-07-17
Panama's proposed bill would criminalize clandestine lottery sales, with prison terms for large-scale operators, as the LNB ramps up enforcement and seeks tougher sanctions to recover an estimated $200 million in annual revenue lost to the black market.
Panamanian lawmakers are considering a bill that would make the sale of clandestine lottery tickets a criminal offense, shifting enforcement from administrative penalties to potential prison time. Introduced by deputy Roberto Zúñiga, the measure targets the sale, promotion, and distribution of lottery tickets outside the official channels of the Lotería Nacional de Beneficencia (LNB).
According to the bill's proponents, illegal ticket sales divert revenue that would otherwise fund social programs. In 2025, official lottery sales reached $846.6 million, generating a $95.8 million transfer from the LNB to the national treasury. The LNB estimates that clandestine sales cost it roughly $200 million annually—money that could support wheelchairs, prosthetics, and public hospitals. Zúñiga highlighted foreign lotteries, such as Costa Rica's "La Tica," as contributing to the black market, stating: "Imagine how many oncology hospitals could be built nationwide."
Under the proposed legislation, sellers moving more than $5,000 in illegal tickets within a 30-day period would face three to six years in prison. That sentence rises to six to eight years if sales exceed $10,000, involve organized criminal groups, use minors, or are linked to money laundering. Smaller infractions would draw fines of $500 to $5,000. The bill also aims to protect the more than 10,000 authorized ticket vendors whose income is undercut by unlicensed operators.
Parallel enforcement push
Alongside the legislative effort, LNB Director General Isidro Carbonell has strengthened inspection operations nationwide. During a tour of Plaza 5 de Mayo, Carbonell announced that the LNB will propose tougher fines and criminal penalties to the Ministry of Economy and Finance. He noted that individuals promoting clandestine sales on social media have already been identified and are being investigated. The operations also target practices such as the sale of "billetes casados" (paired tickets).
To combat overcharging, the LNB reminded the public that the official price of a chance is $0.25 and a ticket is $1.00. Citizens can report overcharging or unauthorized sales anonymously via Portal 311 Panamá, providing location, vendor ID, price charged, and supporting photos or receipts. The bill must still be debated in the National Assembly.