From Panama, a country that presently has 15 casinos and 27 slots operations, comes the news that applications for another 9 casino licences have been made. The Association of Casino Operators (ASAJA) is awaiting a proposed gaming bill from the Casino Control Board, which is due to make changes to the law in order to better regulate premises location, new contracts and financial investigations into new operators.

In 2006 gross gaming revenue in Panama reached US$658 million and ASAJA is keen that the new regulations should include strict financial controls to avoid irresponsible operators gaining entry into the gaming market. In the first half of 2007 US$485 million was bet at the casinos and slot machine halls, and the United States has been keeping a watchful eye on possible money laundering activities.

The 12 operators of Panama’s gaming industry have decided to invest in the latest technology to track play and quickly emit reports of suspicious betting to the Gaming Control Board and the Financial Analysis Unit. Final approval for the new technology must be obtained from the authorities, but ASAJA President Antonio Alfaro claims that the system would make Panama the first country to use instantaneous digital reporting of betting action through the Internet.

At present financial reporting of gambling action takes around 30 days to reach the authorities and operators want their business to be conducted in a more transparent manner. They are anxious that accusations of money laundering can be clearly refuted. Well regulated gambling will ensure that investment by casino resort developers such as Donald Trump will bring tourist dollars into Panama and continued growth in its gaming industry. (E-09.11.07)

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