Panama Lottery: USD 13M annual savings with digital shift
The National Charity Lottery (LNB) of Panama announced that the implementation of a digital lottery system could generate savings of up to USD 13 million annually. This statement was made during the presentation of the budget for the year 2026 before the Budget Commission of the National Assembly. Luis Ábrego, Finance Director of the LNB, explained that the entity currently invests approximately USD 13 million each year in the printing of lottery tickets.
With digitalization, these funds could be redirected to improve the benefits of the sales network, especially the ticket sellers, who constitute the main distribution force of chances and tickets in the country. Ábrego highlighted that the digital lottery project would allow resources currently used for ticket printing to be allocated to social programs focused on improving the quality of life of the ticket sellers.
This measure responds to the need to modernize the operation of the LNB and adapt to new technologies, without neglecting the institution’s social commitment. For her part, Saquina Jaramillo, director of the Lottery, clarified that, if the digital lottery is implemented, the ticket sellers would not lose their source of employment. Instead of using traditional booklets, sellers would operate with electronic devices that would allow them to dispense the numbers and the quantity of products required by bettors, providing a strip as proof. "That saves us the USD 13 million annual printing cost we have with the printing house," emphasized Jaramillo. Currently, the digital lottery initiative is in the analysis phase.
The LNB is carefully evaluating its feasibility and the impact it would have both on internal operations and its social role. Digitalization is part of the institution’s efforts to strengthen its presence and adapt to technological changes, while ensuring the well-being of the ticket sellers and the continuity of social programs that benefit the Panamanian population.
Tags: Panama, Electronic Lottery, LNB, digital lottery