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Panama intensifies crackdown on illegal lottery sales, estimating $200 million in annual losses
🇵🇦 Panama /Crime & Justice

Panama intensifies crackdown on illegal lottery sales, estimating $200 million in annual losses

From TVN Panamá · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • Panamanian authorities have launched operations against illegal lottery sales, targeting 387 identified establishments.
  • The National Charity Lottery estimates annual losses from clandestine sales exceed $100 million, potentially reaching $200 million.
  • A bill is being drafted to criminalize illegal lottery sales, as current penalties are limited to administrative fines.

Panama's National Charity Lottery (LNB) has intensified its crackdown on illegal lottery sales, initiating operations against 387 businesses identified through citizen complaints. The LNB, in coordination with the National Police, conducted an operation in Cerro Batea, San Miguelito district, as part of a nationwide strategy to combat clandestine sales.

LNB Director Isidro Carbonell stated that the inspections are a direct response to public denunciations. The targeted establishments range from convenience stores, including those owned by Asian merchants, to laundromats and beauty salons. The LNB is gathering information to formally present complaints to the respective municipal authorities.

We have identified, through complaints, 387 businesses where this practice allegedly takes place. We are gathering information to present the corresponding complaints to the municipalities.

— Isidro CarbonellDirector of the National Charity Lottery, Isidro Carbonell, explaining the scope of the crackdown on illegal lottery sales.

Carbonell estimates that illegal lottery sales result in annual losses exceeding $100 million, with a potential to reach up to $200 million. These funds are crucial for financing the LNB's charitable programs. Currently, penalties for engaging in this practice are administrative, with fines capped at $5,000, imposed by local municipalities.

To strengthen enforcement, the LNB is developing a bill that would criminalize the clandestine sale of lottery tickets, providing more robust legal tools to prosecute offenders. Additionally, the LNB is addressing complaints about lottery ticket vendors overcharging customers. The institution conducts training for vendors and imposes administrative sanctions, including temporary suspensions or permanent revocation of sales permits, for those who violate pricing regulations. The LNB urges the public to report any instances of price gouging.

Illegal sales represent losses exceeding $100 million annually, although we estimate they could reach up to $200 million, funds which, we recall, are destined for charity programs.

— Isidro CarbonellDirector of the National Charity Lottery, Isidro Carbonell, detailing the financial impact of clandestine lottery sales.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by TVN Panamá in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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