Once again, the electronic lottery in Panama is under scrutiny

The conflict between the National Charity Lottery (LNB) and lottery ticket vendors regarding the introduction of electronic lottery has prompted Ricardo Lombana, a member of the Other Way Movement (MOCA) and a presidential candidate, to lend his support to the lotteries. Lombana has also demanded information about the contract between the LNB and Scientific Games.

On Avenida Perú, Lombana visited the National Charity Lottery (LNB) headquarters to inquire about the implementation of the electronic lottery, a contract between the LNB and Panama Lottery Technology Services, a consortium comprised of Panama Scientific Gaming S.A. and Scientific Games International Inc.

Lombana and representatives from the lottery ticket sellers demanded access to communication, reports, and technical market analyses related to the matter, citing the transparency provisions outlined in Law 6 of January 22, 2002. The institution is expected to respond within 30 days of May 8, 2023.

As per local media reports, Lombana’s request for information from Gloriela Del Río, the Lottery director, includes the following documents:

• Market reports prepared by the company for the development of new games.
• Sales projection reports created by the company for the new games, as well as the security and management projections to prevent fraud.
• Reports from the contracted company on the expectations or projections for the new games designed.
• Sales reports (including the number of units sold and monetary amounts) from bill-keepers and authorized agents.
• Commission amounts earned by authorized agents for executing or implementing the new designs.
• Emails exchanged between the National Charity Lottery and the consortium “PANAMA LOTTERY TECHNOLOGY SERVICES,” composed of “PANAMA SCIENTIFIC GAMING S.A.” and “SCIENTIFIC GAMES INTERNATIONAL, INC.”
• Correspondence, memos, and any other type of communication between the National Charity Lottery and the “PANAMA LOTTERY TECHNOLOGY SERVICES” consortium, comprised of “PANAMA SCIENTIFIC GAMING S.A.” and “SCIENTIFIC GAMES INTERNATIONAL, INC.”
• In case any of this information is deemed confidential or classified, an authenticated copy of the resolution that designates the requested information as such is also requested.

The history of the conflict

On February 25, the National Charity Lottery issued a statement claiming that the existing lottery ticket sellers will be responsible for selling the new electronic games that the organization plans to introduce to the public. The statement states that the Board of Directors of the National Charity Lottery (LNB) authorized the General Director to sign an addendum to contract No. 2013(9)08 between the National Charity Lottery and Scientific Games LLC, dated March 13, 2013.

The statement also indicated that the new games, “Lotto” and “Pega 3,” will allow ticket sellers to “generate more economic income” as two additional days (Tuesdays and Saturdays) are added to the ticket sales schedule. Workers at the facility were received by Crispiano Adames, the president of the National Assembly, who urged them to be patient and assured them that a bill to reorganize the charity entity would be discussed in the upcoming plenary meetings.