Freezing the spread of casinos in Panama

What the papers say
La Prensa, June 22
It seems inconceivable that the Comptroller General of the Republic has given its endorsement to a contract for the operation of a casino without knowing there was an open process against it in the Supreme Court.

 And without the operator having complied with minimum requirements for this kind of concession.

In fact, it is hardly credible that the Comptroller’s staff have not seen the case file, because there are reflected the objections made by the previous controller.

But regardless of the legal process, the truth is that Panama has, over the entire country-an exaggerated number of casinos and slot halls and it is essential to "freeze" this activity. It is clear that the volume of money that drives this industry is detrimental to the welfare of Panamanians countless homes where pathological gambling is becoming a serious problem. But instead, our leaders and officials spend their time in seeing how theycan surprise us with thier legislative genius. If the Comptroller acted with recklessness, must proceed to amend their acts quickly so there is no more harm from this very convenient "mistake."