TLDR
- Panama’s regulated gaming market grew 16.2% in gross wagers from January to May 2026.
- Licensed operators took in $1.3288 billion, up from $1.1437 billion a year earlier.
- Slot machines stayed the top segment, bringing in $932.4 million, a 7.3% rise.
- Online gaming grew the fastest, up 57% year on year to $299.6 million.
- Sports betting and the horse track both saw declines, while bingo grew slightly.
Panama’s regulated gaming market grew 16.2% in gross wagers between January and May 2026. That’s according to new figures from the Office of the Comptroller General, using data from the Gaming Control Board.
Licensed operators in the country brought in $1.3288 billion during those five months. That’s up from $1.1437 billion during the same stretch last year.
The numbers point to steady growth across most parts of Panama’s licensed gaming industry. Some categories did better than others.
Slot Machines Still Lead the Market
Slot machines remained the biggest part of Panama’s gaming industry. They brought in $932.4 million in gross wagers from January to May.
That’s a 7.3% increase compared to the same period in 2025. Slot machines now make up more than 70% of all gross wagering in the country’s regulated market.
These machines operate in licensed casinos, gaming rooms, and other approved locations across Panama. They have long been the main driver of the country’s gaming revenue.
Online Gaming Grows Fastest
Online gaming was the second-largest segment during the period. It generated $299.6 million in gross wagers.
That segment posted the fastest growth rate of any major category, rising 57% from last year. It shows more players in Panama are choosing to bet through licensed online platforms.
Table games came in third place. This category, which includes roulette, blackjack, and poker played at licensed casinos, brought in $74.3 million.
That’s a 23% increase over the same period last year. Table games are played live at licensed casino venues inside hotels.
Land-based casinos still handle most of the betting activity in Panama. But online gaming is closing the gap at a much faster pace.
Other parts of the market showed mixed results. Hipódromo Presidente Remón, the country’s horse racing track, brought in $11.4 million.
That figure marks a 6.1% drop from last year. Sports betting also declined, falling 7.5% to $7.2 million in gross wagers.
Bingo halls saw a small gain. They generated $2.8 million in wagers, a 6.4% increase compared to the previous year.
Instant games were the weakest category. Wagers there fell 18.8% to $1.1 million.
The Office of the Comptroller General noted that these figures don’t cover the entire gaming market. The report covers casinos, online gaming, sports betting, the horse track, bingo halls, instant games, and Type A slot machines.
It does not include Type C slot machines. Those machines operate in bars, restaurants, and other commercial businesses across Panama.
Even with that gap in the data, the report shows continued growth in Panama’s regulated gaming market. Slot machines and online gaming remain the two biggest drivers of that growth heading into the middle of 2026.
