SlotPanama’s gambling culture is old, dollar-fuelled and lottery-loving. A charity lottery dating to the 1880s remains a national fixture, while modern Panama City casinos - anchored by hotel venues like the Veneto and Majestic - draw residents and tourists to slots, poker, table games and soccer betting. In a majority-Catholic country where the state lottery funds social programs, gambling is broadly accepted, though 2026 reforms signal rising concern about its harms.
A history rooted in the lottery
Panama’s gambling story begins with the lottery. In 1882, when the isthmus was still part of Colombia, businessman Jose Gabriel Duque obtained an exclusive concession for lottery draws, and the first draw was held in Panama City on 25 February 1883. In 1919, under President Belisario Porras, the entity was reorganised as the Loteria Nacional de Beneficencia - the National Charity Lottery - a name that captures its enduring social mission: proceeds support social programs and public benefit.
The casino era was formalised much later. Panama reorganised its gaming industry in the late 1990s, turning the country into one of the region’s more successful gaming jurisdictions, and regulations adopted in late 2002 opened the door to internet gaming.
Culturally popular games and bets
| Game / bet | Cultural note |
|---|---|
| National lottery | Everyday pastime; tickets sold nationwide, proceeds fund public benefit |
| Slot machines | A leading casino draw |
| Sports betting | Soccer is the most common bet |
| Poker | Legal and offered in most casinos |
| Blackjack & roulette | Staple hotel-casino table games |
| Bingo | Regulated form, popular locally |
Slots are prominent on casino floors, while sports betting centres on soccer. Poker has a steady following and features at most casinos.
Social & religious attitudes
Panama is a predominantly Catholic country, and Catholic teaching does not treat wagers as intrinsically sinful - the Catechism notes games of chance are “not in themselves contrary to justice,” becoming problematic only when they deprive people of what they need. Because the flagship lottery is explicitly charitable, gambling carries broad social acceptance. That said, the Church and reformers alike caution against addiction and harm to the poor, tensions reflected in Panama’s latest legislation.
Notable milestones
- 1882-1883: Lottery concession granted; first draw held in Panama City on 25 February 1883.
- 1919: Reorganised as the Loteria Nacional de Beneficencia under President Belisario Porras.
- Late 1990s: Modern casino sector reorganised.
- 2002: Internet gaming regulated.
- 2026: National Assembly approves Bill No. 403 (advertising ban, biometric verification, mental-health levy), pending presidential signature.
18+ only. Gambling should be entertainment, not income. Set limits, never chase losses, and seek help if it becomes a problem.