Panama National Assembly approves new gambling levy and ad restrictions
Bill 403 proposes a ban on gambling ads and other new restrictions plus a levy to fund treatment programmes.
Panama.- The National Assembly has voted to approve a bill that introduces new restrictions on gambling in Panama. Introduced by deputies Raúl Pineda and Crispiano Adames, Bill 403 now only requires final endorsement from President José Raúl Mulino Quintero before becoming law.
Intended to increase protection against gambling harm for vulnerable groups, the legislation would introduce a 10 per cent levy on online gambling operators’ revenues. The levy funds will be directed to the Institute of Mental Health (INSAM) to help fund the development of treatment programmes and the establishment of a dedicated centre for gambling addiction in Panama.
As reported by Focus Gaming News Latinoamérica, the legislation will also ban gambling advertising across traditional media, social media and sports, and prohibits the use of celebrities or influencers to endorse gambling.
It will also require online platforms to implement biometric identification to prevent minors from accessing gambling. Meanwhile, payment options will be restricted to reduce the risk of debt and uncontrolled spending.
Oversight of the new rules will fall to the Gaming Control Board (JCJ), which will be equipped with tools to monitor compliance in real time. Violations could result in fines of up to 10 per cent of an operator’s revenue, licence suspensions, or criminal proceedings.
Education initiatives are also part of the bill, with plans to introduce awareness programmes in schools nationwide.
The move in Panama follows the introduction of a rise in the gambling tax rate in Brazil and the announcement of a new consumption tax on gambling in Colombia.
