In the Supreme Court of Justice, two annulment lawsuits filed in 2023 against the contract awarded to the company are still maintained.
Panama.- The National Lottery of Charity of Panama (LNB) reported that they are still, "in the office of Magistrate Cecilio Cedalise", the two annulment lawsuits that were presented last year against the contract awarded to the company that operates the electronic lottery.
Furthermore, the authorities of the LNB announced in statements released by the newspaper Metro Libre that "the National Lottery of Charity, as an entity respectful of the law, is waiting for the highest court of justice to decide the future of said addendum, and to comply with it immediately."
On the other hand, the entity explained that "to date the Board of Directors of the Lottery has also not met, since director Saquina Jaramillo has not been ratified by the National Assembly."
See also: Panamanians allocated USD 1.375m to gambling in the first five months of 2024
It is worth remembering that last July, President Mulino ordered Saquina Jaramillo, the new director of the LNB, to end the electronic lottery of Panama, known as Lotto and Pega 3, with the aim of improving the efficiency and credibility of the LNB, since, according to the president, this modality "is not a business for the State".
A member of the Bhumjaithai coalition has expressed concerns about the bill to legalise casinos.
Thailand.- Korrawee Prissananantakul, a Bhumjaithai MP for Ang Thong, has said that the coalition party is in favour of the bill to legalise entertainment complexes with casinos but concerned that a few companies may come to dominate the industry. He proposed that the government could explore the option of managing and running the casinos itself, suggesting this would generate income for Thais rather than a select group of investors.
Bhumjaithai has always supported Pheu Thai’s concept of an entertainment complex, but Prissananantakul said the party is opposed to the construction of integrated resorts (IR) in small cities as it may lead to unfair income distribution.
Earlier this month, deputy finance minister Julapun Amornvivat announced that the government was going to move forward with the bill to legalise entertainment complexes with casinos after 80 per cent of attendees at a public hearing supported the project.
The proposed legislation includes 30-year casino licences, with the option for a 10-year renewal. Casinos would be part of large entertainment complexes with hotels, convention centres, and amusement parks. In May, Julapun Amornvivat suggested that the casino component would be no more than around 5 per cent of the project’s total area.
The draft bill stipulates that complexes should be located in designated areas and operated by companies registered in Thailand with a minimum paid-up capital of THB10bn (US$283m). A policy panel led by the prime minister and a regulatory agency would oversee the industry.
