Paraguay publishes decree regulating new gambling law

The Government of Paraguay has officially published Decree No. 3846, which regulates Law 7438/2025 and establishes the General Directorate of Games of Chance. This new law amends and expands Law 1016/1997, aiming to modernize and strengthen the country’s legal framework for gambling operations.

One major reform is the creation of the General Directorate of Games of Chance, a technical body responsible for implementing and enforcing gambling policies. The decree also integrates the National Commission of Games of Chance (Conajzar) into the National Directorate of Tax Revenues (DNIT), giving the regulator broader powers to supervise and sanction irregularities.

Significantly, the law ends the monopoly over licenses for games such as lotteries and sports betting, allowing up to three operators per game type. Conajzar will now be composed of five members, including representatives from the DNIT, regional governments, municipalities, the Ministry of the Interior, and the Directorate of Social Welfare.

The decree mandates a minimum 200-meter distance between gambling establishments and educational institutions. It also sets a clear timeline for operators to comply with technical and regulatory standards, including data systems and reporting requirements.

Finally, the law reinforces the fight against illegal gambling, authorizing immediate closures and the seizure of equipment used in unauthorized gaming activities.