The figures were released in the context of the discussion on the increase of the commission that lottery vendors receive, aiming to raise it from the current 10 percent to 15 or 20 percent.
Panama.- The sale of illegal lottery tickets and chances causes annual losses of around USD 200 million to the National Charity Lottery (LNB). This figure was revealed by the institution during a meeting of the Economic and Financial Commission of the National Assembly, where an increase in the commissions for ticket sellers is being considered.
The Economic Commission is discussing a project to amend Decree 224 of July 16, 1969, which regulates the Lottery. The goal is for lottery vendors to receive an increase in commission, which would be between 15 and 20 percent.
In this context, LNB officials stated that it is necessary to end the sale of illegal or "married" chances in order to prevent buyers from turning to the illegal market and ensure all profits go to the lottery vendors. Even the Deputy Mayor of Panama, Roberto Ruiz Díaz, proposed this week that "with lottery tickets everywhere at USD 1.25, it would be better for the institution to raise the price to USD 1.25 and instead of it going into the hands of speculators, it should stay with the entity."
Currently, the commission that lottery vendors receive is 10 percent, a percentage that vendors say is not enough to live on. President José Raúl Mulino has repeatedly committed to providing the necessary support to make this adjustment a reality.
Saquina Jaramillo, director of the institution, said that the appropriate evaluations will be conducted to comply with this request from the head of the Executive.
While the debate to modify the amounts received by lottery vendors is ongoing in the legislative sphere, the municipality of La Chorrera announced that it will carry out operations to combat the proliferation of illegal gambling.
The ticket sellers from that locality expressed how they are affected by the illegal lottery sales and requested that a stop be put to the offenders, detecting them with operations led by the Municipality of La Chorrera, in conjunction with the National Police (PN), the Ministry of Commerce and Industries (MICI), and the Public Ministry (MP).
See also: The gaming industry in Panama is on the rise: between January and July, there was a growth of 14%
The affected parties highlighted that there is a proliferation of venues dedicated to clandestine sales and emphasized that it constitutes unfair competition that significantly affects their income, that of the LNB, and the state.
