Saquina Jaramillo, general manager of the National Charity Lottery (LNB), has reported discrepancies in the distribution of lottery books, including the existence of “ghost books” and uncashed checks. This situation has raised concerns as Panama faces a potential new scandal in its lottery scheme. In light of these claims, lottery agents, or ticket sellers, have called for a comprehensive investigation to clarify the matter and eliminate any possibility of corruption within the system.
Jaramillo addressed the Economy and Finance Committee of the National Assembly, informing them that the Public Ministry is currently investigating 294 lottery books in various regions of the country, including Chiriquí, Los Pueblos, Veraguas, and San Miguelito, for irregularities. She also highlighted the existence of 500,000 outstanding checks and the issue of ghost books—papers that could potentially be exploited to siphon funds.
These disclosures have been met with apprehensive reactions from union leaders and ticket sellers. Alfredo Sosa from the Ticket Sellers’ Union emphasized the necessity for a full audit to determine the current status of the checks and passbooks, stating, “As ticket sellers, we must know what is going on with phantom passbooks.” In support of Jaramillo’s efforts, Guillermo Valdés Lagarto, head of the ticket sellers at El Dorado, described her approach as a “clean-up” operation for the LNB, while also advocating for the elimination of passbooks assigned to minors. He alleged that some deputies and representatives are purportedly involved in their illegal handling.
The term “ghost passbooks” refers to lottery passbooks that do not belong to legitimate vendors, yet still generate revenue that could be misappropriated. This situation directly affects legitimate ticket vendors, whose livelihoods rely on lottery revenue. Additionally, the presence of uncashed checks indicates that authorized sellers may not be receiving the money they are owed, pointing to potential corruption or theft within the organization. Panama Lottery Vendors
Lottery vendors have stated that an inquiry must extend beyond LNB officials to include leaders and patrons who may be benefitting from this unauthorized scheme. They claim that some tickets, particularly those managed by parliamentary members, are being obstructed by influential individuals, thereby hindering fair access to this income opportunity for regular vendors.
In response, vendors are calling for officials to undertake specific measures, including conducting an independent review to assess the extent of the anomalies, removing any registry entries that do not correspond to actual vendors, and punishing implicated officials and legislators. The Public Ministry is making progress in its investigations, primarily in Chiriquí and Veraguas, where the allegations of malpractice appear to be more advanced. Ticket vendors hope that the investigation will lead to systemic changes that ensure transparency and fairness within the lottery system.
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Despite pressure from various parties regarding the potential influence of the inquiry, Jaramillo has reiterated her commitment to institutional integrity. The case surrounding the Panama National Lottery of Charity’s phantom lottery books and uncashed checks highlights a more profound issue in lottery management—corruption and the uncontrolled distribution of funds. The most affected stakeholders, the ticket vendors, are seeking clear answers and decisive actions to preserve the charitable intent of these funds, ensuring they do not end up in the wrong hands.
Panamanian society anticipates that authorities will act justly and transparently, thereby guaranteeing that lottery funds fulfill their intended purpose: supporting those in greatest need. Panama Lottery Vendors
