Panama loses $200 million annually to clandestine lottery, says LNB Director

Panama's National Charity Lottery (LNB) is losing over $200 million annually due to the widespread operation of illegal lottery schemes, according to LNB Director Saquina Jaramillo. As reported by En Segundos, Jaramillo raised the alarm during a televised interview on Telemetro, revealing the presence of various unauthorized lottery types—including “tica,” “nica,” and “monito”—being sold across the country.

Jaramillo noted that even the province of Colón has seen the emergence of new forms of illegal gambling. She emphasized that the clandestine sale of lottery products often happens openly in commercial establishments, particularly in regions like Chiriquí, which has one of the highest rates of such activity.

The LNB chief highlighted the challenges of enforcement, noting that while administrative penalties are required, some local governments show little cooperation. She revealed that efforts are underway to elevate these infractions to criminal offenses under national law.

In addition to addressing illegal sales, Jaramillo criticized the unauthorized markups in the price of lottery tickets and chances, calling them a direct violation of the LNB’s Organic Law by authorized vendors. She also announced a broad institutional restructuring process, including upgrades to physical infrastructure and improvements in the Human Resources Department.

En Segundos also reported that in the first quarter of 2025, the gaming sector saw steady growth, driven primarily by slot machines, followed closely by official lottery products.