Panama: A project to modify the casino law to be presented to the Ministery of Economic Affairs

According to the General Watchdog's office of the Republic, casinos and slot halls are the sector that grew the most in the industry, because horse-race bets decreased a 1.9% and the lottery sale increased just a 2.9%.

The figures lead the Gambling Control Commitee (JCJ) to work in a comprehensive reform of the current casino law from 1998, with the aim to promote responsive gaming and avoid gambling problems in the country.

Raúl Cortizo, Head of JCJ, indicated that “the project is being presented this week to the Vice-Minister of Finances, Orcila de Constable”, to present it to the board of directors of the entity.

When talking about the initiatives that have aroused in the National Assembly, Cortizo pointed that he has already presented his objections to the project.

He also commented that the latest permission granted by JCJ was for the operation of Casino Veneto, that is currently in a sale process. On top of that, said Cortizo, “the opening of Mallorca Casino in Meliá Hotel has been authorized. It also started the operation of horse racetrack Presidente Remón as a slot hall”.

There are 15 complete casinos in the country, eight of them in the capital city.