Indian and local casinos of Panama

Indian casinos and local gambling houses (Panama)

Short answer

Panama does not have a separate tribal casino law. Games of chance throughout the country - including Native American mosquitoes (Guna Yala, Ngäbe-Buglé, Emberá-Wounaan, etc.) - fall under the general national regime and control of the Junta de Control de Juegos (JCJ) under the Ministry of Economy and Finance. Any gambling facility (casino, machine room, bingo, betting) must be licensed by JCJ, otherwise the activity is illegal.

Legal framework: uniform rules for the whole country

Decreto Ley Nº 2 от 10. 02. 1998: Reorganizes the JCJ, empowering it to control, license and oversee "chance games and betting activities" throughout the country (Gaceta Oficial No. 23484). This is the foundation of the modern model.

The JCJ (officially) formulates the mission as "to control, fiscalize, supervise and regulate the exploitation of games of chance and wagering" - no exceptions by territory.

Lotteries remain under the Lotería Nacional de Beneficencia (historical monopoly since 1914), which does not create "tribal" exceptions.

💡 Conclusions two: 1) no "sovereign" casinos outside JCJ; 2) any initiatives in indigenous territories are required to follow the standard licensing procedure.

Native American mosquitoes and tourism: what it's like in practice

Key coastal mosquitoes, primarily Guna Yala (San Blas), develop ecotourism: modest lodges/cabanas, snorkeling, island tours. The "hotel-casino" format is not typical here: the infrastructure is focused on nature and local culture, and not on gambling grounds.

"Local gambling houses" in the provinces: what really is

Outside the capital, small licensed halls (slots, electronic roulette, sometimes 2-4 tables) are common at hotels/malls - in cities like David (Chirika), Colon, etc. These are private venues operating under JCJ licenses; there are no "communal" or "tribal" exceptions in the legal sense.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Is it possible to open a casino in a comarca according to the rules of the community, without JCJ?

No, it isn't. National law requires a JCJ license for any chance and bet games throughout Panama.

Are there precedents for "tribal casinos" as in the United States (IGRA)?

No, it isn't. Panama lacks a separate law similar to IGRA; there is a single national JCJ regime.

And what about lotteries and "cultural draws"?

Gosloterea - Lotería Nacional zone by Ley 25 (1914); local "festival-raffles" outside the JCJ/LNB framework as "chance games" are not allowed. Check the legal scheme: strict rules apply for public circulations.

Why are there few casinos in mosquitoes?

Tourism model (eco, small lodges), infrastructure and cultural priorities + the absence of a separate "tribal" regime.

Panama is a centrally regulated jurisdiction: there are no "tribal" casino exemptions. Native American mosquitoes are dominated by ecotourism and cultural formats without gambling grounds; the provinces operate locally licensed halls under the supervision of JCJ. Any project - from the capital to a remote area - must comply with a single national regime.