President of the Association of Games of Chance Administrators (ASAJA), Antonio Alfaro, has recently asked to the Gambling Control Committee (JCJ) more transparency in the approval of casino licenses. Alfaro said that this demand is made every time that JCJ aims to ignore ASAJA as trade union representative of the games of chance industry, in order to be able to grant a casino operating license in the facilities of Four Points Sheraton Hotel, which does not comply with the basic requirements demanded by law.

The growth of bets in casinos and gambling halls in Panama, which generated USD 948 million last year, is directly related to the arrival of tourists, according to President of the Association of Games of Chance Administrators (Asaja), Antonio Alfaro. “Bets from foreign people have been growing more that those from local people”, commented Alfaro, evaluating the development of the sector in 2007.

During last year, players left USD 840 million of gross income in Panamenian casinos. This figure registrates a 13.5% growth with regards to 2006, when the total income was USD 740 million. The numbers show that the campaign performed by different trade unions in order to prevent players to go to casinos has had little effect. Antonio Alfaro, president of the Association of Games of Chance Administrators (ASAJA), confirmed that the increment of players is stronger month after month.

Bettors from Panama and abroad bet USD 658 in 2006. It represents a 28% increment on games of chance bets in the country, thanks to the economic growth and the increment of players. Besides, the Panamenian Association of People with Gambling Problems said that, as well as revenues and prizes grow, it also increases the number of people with gambling problems. A long report on Panama-America newspaper, concentrated in the financial aspects of the so-called industry of entertainment, indicated that the activity registrated a 28% growth last year.