for early access to the latest igaming videos!
and get the latest igaming news first!
The regulated gaming sector in Panama showed a 16.2% increase in gross wagering year on year in January-May 2026, according to figures released by the Office of the Comptroller General of the Republic, based on data from the Gaming Control Board.
Licensed operators in the country recorded US$1.3288 billion in gross wagers in January-May, compared with US$1.1437 billion for the same period last year. The figures demonstrate continued growth in several sectors of Panama’s regulated gaming industry.
Slot Machines Continue Dominating
As before, slot machines were the largest segment in Panama’s regulated gaming market, bringing in US$932.4 million in gross wagers between January and May. This shows a 7.3% increase in comparison with the same period last year.
More than 70% of gross wagering in Panama’s regulated gaming industry comes from slot machines, which makes this segment the largest contributor to Panama’s regulated gaming market. Slot machines work in the country’s licensed casinos, designated gaming rooms, and other licensed establishments.
Online Gaming Registers Fastest Growth
In terms of the second-largest segment of the industry in the country in January-May, online gaming accounted for US$299.6 million in gross wagers. The segment registered the strongest growth rate among major gaming verticals, increasing 57% year on year.
Traditional table games came third, reporting US$74.3 million in gross wagers, 23% increase compared with January-May of last year. The category included such casino games as roulette, blackjack, poker, and others played live in the country’s licensed casino venues located in licensed hotels.
The figures show that although most wagering takes place in land-based casinos, online gaming is one of the fastest-growing segments in Panama’s regulated gaming industry.
Diverging Performance Rates Among Other Gaming Categories
Other categories of the regulated gaming market in Panama reported diverging performance rates during the analyzed period.
Hipódromo Presidente Remón brought in US$11.4 million, posting a 6.1% decline in comparison with last year. In turn, sports betting reported US$7.2 million in gross wagers, showing a 7.5% decline. Bingo halls generated US$2.8 million in wagers, demonstrating a 6.4% increase compared with the previous year.
However, instant games produced US$1.1 million in wagers, showing a 18.8% decrease compared with the previous year.
Statistics Show Part of the Industry Only
Office of the Comptroller General noted that the statistics cover only part of Panama’s regulated gaming market.
Reported activities include casinos, online gaming, sports betting, Hipódromo Presidente Remón, bingo halls, instant games, and Type A slot machines. In turn, it does not cover Type C slot machines operating in authorized bars, restaurants, and other commercial enterprises in Panama.
Nevertheless, even under this restriction, recent statistics show continued growth in Panama’s regulated gaming market, which is mainly driven by slot machines and the fast-growing online gaming, as well as other individual gaming categories.
Source: SBC Noticias
