Bill 403.

Summary.

The bill establishes measures to prevent, treat and control gambling addiction in Panama. It would apply to individuals and legal entities operating games of chance, digital betting platforms and sports prediction services. It also seeks to promote responsible gambling and protect vulnerable people.

Type "A" and type "C" casinos and digital betting platforms would have to allocate 10 % of their net profits to the Mental Health Institute (Instituto de Salud Mental) to develop and maintain a nationwide gambling addiction treatment center. The Office of the Comptroller General of the Republic (Contraloría General de la República) would audit the earnings of casinos, betting shops and digital platforms to verify compliance with the tax and social responsibility obligations established by the bill.

The bill prohibits children and adolescents under 18 years of age from accessing any game of chance or betting service, whether in physical casinos or on digital platforms. Online betting platforms would have to use biometric mechanisms to verify identity and age. Owners of digital platforms that allow minors access would be subject to criminal penalties, including fines and possible imprisonment according to the seriousness of the violation. The Ministry of Education (Ministerio de Educación) would have to introduce sessions on the risks of compulsive gambling at the primary, secondary and university levels and train teachers to identify and prevent gambling addiction.

The bill prohibits advertising, promotion and sponsorship of games of chance and betting on digital platforms, social media, information and communication technologies, audiovisual media, public roadside signs, and print, radio and television media. It also prohibits direct or indirect advertising through influencers, athletes, celebrities, public figures or fictional characters. Casinos, betting shops and digital betting platforms could not sponsor sports teams, events, uniforms, stadiums or other facilities connected with sporting activities.

Online bets could be paid for only with bank credit cards, subject to a daily limit equal to the maximum withdrawal permitted by banking institutions. Other payment methods that encourage indebtedness would be prohibited. Operators that violate the bill would face fines equivalent to 10% of their annual income and, in serious or repeated cases, possible criminal penalties and revocation of their operating licenses. The Gaming Control Board (Junta de Control de Juegos) would oversee compliance and impose penalties in coordination with the National Authority for Government Innovation (Autoridad Nacional para la Innovación Gubernamental) and the Office of the Comptroller General of the Republic. The Executive Branch (Órgano Ejecutivo) would issue implementing regulations within no more than six months after enactment. The law would take effect upon publication in the Official Gazette (Gaceta Oficial).

The bill concerns the Mental Health Institute, the Ministry of Education and the oversight authorities it names. Its provisions would also affect the casino, digital betting, banking, advertising, media, education and sports sectors.