Panama's gross betting exceeds 1.328 billion by May
The gambling market in Panama maintained its growth trend during the first five months of 2026. Between January and May, gross wagers from gambling operators reached 1.328 billion dollars, an increase of 16.2 percent compared to the 1.1437 billion recorded in the same period of 2025, according to data from the National Institute of Statistics and Census.
INEC statistics include wagers placed at racetracks, bingo halls, gaming tables, Type A slot machines, sports betting parlors, online gambling, and instant games, in addition to the gross sales of the National Charity Lottery.
The main driver of growth was the online segment. Online wagers totaled 299.6 million dollars between January and May, 57 percent more than the 190.8 million in the same period of 2025, consolidating it as the fastest-growing segment of the Panamanian market. Type A slot machines continued to be the main component of the sector, with 932.4 million in gross wagers, close to 70 percent of the total, and a year-on-year growth of 7.3 percent.
Gaming tables reached 74.3 million, 23 percent more than in the first five months of 2025. Sports betting parlors totaled 7.2 million, bingo halls recorded 2.8 million, and instant games added 1.1 million. In contrast, gross sales of the National Charity Lottery stood at 344.2 million between January and May, a decrease of 0.6 percent compared to 346.2 million in the previous year.
On a monthly basis, gross wagers amounted to 259.3 million in January, 242.6 million in February, 277.6 million in March, 266.4 million in April, and reached their highest level of the year in May with 282.8 million.
Regarding net wagers, calculated by deducting prizes paid, the market totaled 162 million dollars between January and May, a growth of 6.7 percent compared to 151.8 million in the previous year. Online once again stood out, with 16.8 million net, 35.8 percent more than in 2025. Type A slot machines generated 126 million net, with a rise of 3.1 percent, and gaming tables 13.7 million, with an increase of 21.4 percent. Net sales of the National Charity Lottery reached 59.7 million, compared to 64.4 million in the same period of 2025, a drop of 7.3 percent.
According to the official list of operations, Panama has 22 full casinos, 31 slot machine venues, 45 sports betting parlors, three bingo halls, and one racetrack. In addition to Type A machines, the country has Type C machines, which operate in smaller establishments and allow a single play per coin or wager, unlike the multiple combinations offered by Type A machines.
Tags: National Institute of Statistics and Census, National Charity Lottery, Panamanian gambling market