Panama hits offshore iGaming with five-day blocking rule

A new law gives providers five days to block unlicensed gambling services, while Blask data shows offshore demand growing to 14.9%.

Panama’s Law 527 gives the gambling regulator new powers to require internet providers to block unlicensed gambling websites, apps and domains. Providers have five days to comply, while violations may carry fines of up to $1M.

The law also introduces biometric user verification, self-exclusion tools for spending and time limits, and a strict ban on minors accessing gambling services.

Offshore demand grew to 14.9%

According to Blask Index, the share of international brands in Panama rose from 9.6% in April 2024 to 14.9% in April 2026. In CEB, the offshore segment remains significantly smaller than the local market, but its revenue baseline is gradually growing.

In April 2026, local brands accounted for around 85% of the Blask Index, with Betcha, LatinBet and Codere leading the market. However, the top three were not fully local: LatinBet, an offshore operator, ranked second with a 20.09% BAP share. Sportium, Betcris and other brands held smaller shares.

The sharpest growth among offshore brands came from Stake, 1xBet and Betify. Stake grew 1,28% YoY, 1xBet grew 404%, and Betify grew 79%. These brands still hold small BAP shares, but their dynamics already make the offshore segment visible inside the brand top.

Why Panama tightened blocking

Law 527 marks Panama’s shift toward faster access-level enforcement. ISP-level blocking is already used in Latin America, including Colombia and Brazil. Panama is now applying the same tool to a market where the licensed segment still dominates, while offshore brands are already growing faster than local leaders.