Panama Gambling License

Before opening an online project, every operator primarily asks the question: what market to choose? Where can I operate freely, and where do I need to go through the licensing procedure?

Slotegrator examined this question. Our experts prepared a list of countries where online gambling operation is legal.

Casinos in Panama by Area. Most casinos in Panama are located in Panama City. There are more than 30 gambling facilities, 179+ table games, and 6,804+ gaming machines. The city is apparently the gambling jurisdiction of Panama. The biggest casino in Panama City is Veneto Wyndham Grand Hotel & Casino, with six poker tables, 40 table games,. Panama started issuing licenses through its gaming commission after passing the Online Gaming Act of 2002. Companies seeking a license must pay an up-front licensing fee of 40,000 USD in addition to an annual fee of USD 20,000.

To make it even more convenient, we sorted them by continents. It includes not only those countries subject to certain requirements and where online gambling is regulated by law. There are also those countries where online gambling is neither regulated nor prohibited.

Online gambling availability in the World 2021

Depending on different approaches to gambling regulation in the world, all countries are divided into 4 groups.

Countries where foreign online casinos are not blocked:

The local regulators do not apply any legislative requirements in these countries. Foreign gambling sites can be licensed in any jurisdiction or generally operate without it.

However, it should be noted that gambling is not necessarily legal in these countries.

For example, the Cayman Islands completely prohibit gambling, while the local residents are liable for participation in gambling. The fact that foreign online casinos are not blocked now can only be explained by the inability of regulator to do this. And if the online gambling is not legalized, blocking of foreign sites is just a matter of time.

Countries where gambling websites must be licensed by the local regulator:

Panama Gambling License Plate

These countries use the most competent approach to online gambling regulation. Each operator (whether it is local or foreign) must acquire a license and fulfill certain legal requirements. Conditions are equal for all. Everyone is obliged to pay taxes to the budget. Only in this case, the operator has the right to work legally. Otherwise, the online resource will be blocked.

The following countries require a license of the local regulator only for the local gaming sites. Foreign platforms can work without it:

As in the first group, these countries do not apply any legal requirements to foreign sites. A foreign operator may be licensed in any jurisdiction and, in some countries operate without it at all. However, all local casino owners are required to undergo the licensing procedure of the local regulator and to pay taxes to the local treasury.

Slotegrator offers licenses for legal operation in different markets. We help to obtain gambling licenses from Curacao, Malta, Isle of Man, Kahnawake, Belize, Gibraltar, and Alderney.

The following countries have no restrictions for the gambling sites at all:

This is the largest group of countries. Many of them do not regulate gambling activities at all.

Online gambling laws around the world

Panama Gambling License Bureau

Today almost every country has its own rules regulating the land-based gambling. However, the situation with online gambling is more ambiguous. As can be seen, the attitude towards local and foreign operators differs fundamentally from country to country.

In the European Union, for example, the operators of the foreign gambling sites are subject to the requirements of the EU law. However, not all countries agree that foreign operators don’t pay taxes to the local treasury. Contrary to the requirements of the EU, they put the foreign operators under own regulations forcing them to obtain a local gaming license and pay taxes to the local budget. Among these countries France, Germany, Italy, etc.

The second reason for the different attitudes to local and foreign operators is that many countries (especially those not technologically advanced) simply do not have the resources or tools to prevent foreign companies from operating in their territories.

Summing up the availability of online gambling around the world:

• 32 countries prohibit the local operators from working without a license, but those gambling sites that operate from abroad can easily offer their services to local residents. Among them, the following countries: Seychelles, Armenia, Dominican Republic, Greece, Monaco, Norway, Canada, Sweden, Switzerland, etc.
• 32 countries allow online gambling only with the local license. For example, Austria, Denmark, Finland, France, the UK, the Netherlands etc.
• 28 countries prohibit locals from gambling and block sites of local gambling operators. However, foreign platforms can work freely, even if they have no license. These states are either unwilling or are not able to prevent them. For example, Australia, Brazil, New Zealand, Mexico, Japan, Singapore, Nigeria, etc.
• 93 countries do not prohibit online casinos and do not license them. They include Bolivia, Uruguay, Venezuela, Bahamas, Argentina, Egypt, Kenya, Tunisia, Kosovo, Gibraltar, etc.

Slotegrator offers everything gambling operators need to launch and expand online casino and sportsbook projects. The company offers a wide range of products, including White Label online casino and sportsbook platform development, game content, betting data feeds and payment systems integration. Slotegrator also provides legal consultancy and administrative assistance for gambling license acquisition and regulatory compliance.

Panama became a licensing jurisdiction in 2002 with the passage of the Online Gaming Act of 2002. The first license was issued in 2003 and Panama has remained in the business ever since. The Junta de Control de Juegos (Gaming Control Board) is responsible for issuing licenses and monitoring the operations of all licensed gambling sites.

Key Features

That Resolution stated that in order that a natural or a legal entity operates a System for Electronic Communication Games in or from the Republic of Panama, it must enter into an Administration/Operation Contract with the Gambling Control Board.

Panama Gambling License

The Gambling Control Board issues the Gambling Licenses permitting the Administrator/Operator to conduct the System or Systems for Electronic Communication Games for every Contract.

Panama Gambling License Laws

The System for Electronic Communication Games will be subject to the regulations of the Gambling Control Board, even though part of its elements function outside the Republic of Panama. Such conditions will be set forth in the Agreement with said Administrator/Operator.

The Systems for Electronic Communication Games operating in or from Panama shall not be used by persons residing in the country.

Legal Requirements

Panama Gambling License Application

Tax Treatment

Non-resident income is tax exempt.

Duration to Set Up

3 months

Distinctive Benefits of Licence

• Robust yet flexible regulatory environment
• Professional infrastructure and quality of workplace
• Tax neutrality and Tax Exchange Agreements

Why AAA Management services

• End to end comprehensive service
• Speedy and efficient service
• Expert advice on structuring options
• Dedicated ongoing compliance support
• Extensive network pool of service providers