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Panama's National Lottery Intensifies Crackdown on Illegal Sales, Seeks Harsher Penalties
🇵🇦 Panama /Economy & Trade

Panama's National Lottery Intensifies Crackdown on Illegal Sales, Seeks Harsher Penalties

From TVN Panamá · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources New plan
  • Panama's National Lottery is intensifying operations against illegal lottery sales, which cause over $100 million in annual losses.
  • The director announced plans to propose stricter penalties, including higher fines and potential criminal sanctions.
  • Authorized ticket sellers support the crackdown, stating clandestine sales directly impact their income.

Panama's National Lottery (LNB) is launching a strengthened nationwide campaign to combat the clandestine sale of chances and tickets, an illicit activity that the entity estimates results in annual losses exceeding $100 million. Isidro Carbonell, director of the LNB, announced the initiative, which also aims to halt the practice of selling "casados" (paired) tickets, improve customer service training for authorized sellers, and protect the income of legitimate vendors.

As the law stands, the fine that can be imposed solely by the municipalities is up to 5,000 balboas. That is why we want this to intensify and increase the value of the sanctions, because the Lottery is losing more than $100 million with this situation.

— Isidro CarbonellDirector of the National Lottery of Beneficence explaining the current penalty limitations and the financial impact of illegal sales.

Carbonell highlighted the inadequacy of current penalties, noting that municipal fines can reach up to $5,000 balboas. "As the law stands, the fine that can be imposed solely by the municipalities is up to 5,000 balboas. That is why we want this to intensify and increase the value of the sanctions, because the Lottery is losing more than $100 million with this situation," he stated.

To address this, the LNB will present a proposal to the Ministry of Economy and Finance seeking to significantly increase sanctions. This includes fines surpassing $5,000 and the introduction of criminal penalties for those involved in the illegal lottery trade. "We have to end this in a forceful way. The sanctions must include economic fines and also penalties contemplated within the criminal offense sphere," Carbonell asserted.

We have to end this in a forceful way. The sanctions must include economic fines and also penalties contemplated within the criminal offense sphere.

— Isidro CarbonellDirector of the National Lottery of Beneficence emphasizing the need for stronger punitive measures against illegal lottery operations.

Authorized ticket sellers in areas like Plaza 5 de Mayo have voiced their support for the LNB's intensified efforts, confirming that illegal sales directly diminish their earnings. "We have been fighting against this crime," one seller commented. The LNB has also identified individuals promoting illegal sales on social media and is monitoring them. Carbonell urged the public to purchase lottery products only from authorized sellers, reminding them that proceeds fund social assistance programs.

We have been fighting against this crime.

— Authorized ticket sellerAn authorized ticket seller expressing support for the National Lottery's crackdown on illegal 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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