Paraguay's Gambling Association urges caution on new gaming law implementation

On March 24, 2025, The Asociación Paraguaya de Operadores de Juegos de Azar (Paraguayan Association of Gambling Operators) has urged caution in implementing the recently approved gambling law that aims to demonopolize the industry.

Lorena Rojas, president of the Gambling Association, stated, "We managed to make this amendment to the demonopolization law and we are now waiting for regulation. The law gives support to Conajzar so that they can carry forward policies in the field of prevention and legal safety".

Rojas emphasized the importance of legal security for operators, explaining, "Making sports betting a monopoly was due to the lack of structure of Conajzar. When you sign a contract with the State, you have to have legal security".

This call for a measured approach comes in the wake of recent statements by Óscar Orué, head of Paraguay's National Directorate of Tax Revenue (DNIT), who highlighted the potential benefits of the new law at a conference on Law 7438/2025. Orué emphasized that the law aims to create a more equitable and diversified gaming market by allowing up to three operators per game type, including lotteries and sports betting.

The new legislation, which integrates the National Gaming Commission (Conajzar) into the DNIT, represents a significant shift in Paraguay's gambling landscape. While the government sees this as a step towards fairer competition and increased revenue, industry stakeholders are advocating for a cautious approach to ensure a smooth transition and maintain legal certainty for existing operators.

As Paraguay moves forward with this major reform of its gambling laws, the balance between promoting competition and ensuring stability for current market participants remains a key consideration for regulators and industry representatives alike.