Paraguay abolishes monopoly, implementing fresh regulations for online gambling and sports betting platforms.
** uncensored, unfiltered, and unapologetic insights into the latest shakeups in the Paraguayan gambling world**
His textbooks may've warned against it, but President Santiago Peña and Tax Revenue Director Óscar Orué are riding the wave of record growth with reckless abandon. The numbers don't lie—tax collections from online gambling and sports betting jumped a staggering 11% year-over-year in Q1 of 2025. The duo's bringing big change, hell-bent on expanding this lucrative market.
Breaking up is hard to do, but it's necessary
Okay, so the online gambling and sports betting scene in Paraguay has been a one-horse town. But that's all about to change under the new law. The bet's off for the existing monopoly, as the field opens up for three companies to jump in for each type of betting. It's about time the country got with the regulatory trends in the region, like Brazil and Peru.
No more pulling strings behind closed doors— licensing will be handled by the National Gaming Commission (Conajzar), now rolling under the National Directorate of Tax Revenue (DNIT). The move helps cement fiscal control and transparency, too.
Cleaning up the underbelly of online casinos
Illegal exploitation won't stand a chance with these new regulations. Conajzar and DNIT are ready to seize equipment and block signals from unlicensed casino and betting operations. You mess with Paraguay's new rules, and you'll face the music— penalties of up to five years in the slammer are on the table.
The law also includes technological tools to root out and block illegal platforms, adding an extra layer of security. Minors finally get some peace of mind, too—licensed operators must now keep separate accounts for their gambling activities.
Pot of gold at the end of the rainbow
The numbers already look promising, with tax revenue from gambling climbing past 175 billion guaraníes in 2024 and a growth of 11% over the previous year. But with the new pals in the gaming industry and stricter supervision, revenue could triple in the coming years.
The iGaming segment, particularly online casinos and sports betting, is where the real growth is happening. It's attracting attention from international operators, and the competition can only drive innovation, elevate the player experience, and create new employment opportunities.
Paraguay: the newbies on the block that won't be ignored
The enactment of Law 7.438/25 and the restructuring of Conajzar under DNIT signal a new era for iGaming in Paraguay. The opening of the market, the fight against clandestinity, and the professionalization of the regulatory body lay the groundwork for a more competitive, transparent, and attractive ecosystem for investors and global operators.
In a Latin American landscape where regulation and technological innovation are key to the sector's development, Paraguay is planting its flag and diving headfirst into the modernization of its gaming industry. The upcoming months will define the pace and scale of change, with the potential to transform the country into a regional benchmark in the gaming industry.
So keep an eye on 'em— these upstarts aren't messing around.
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SiGMA Asia, June 1-4, 2025— the next stop for the iGaming power players in Manila
- With the restructuring of the National Gaming Commission (Conajzar) and the relaxation of gambling laws in Paraguay, international operators are flocking to this previously untapped market, as exemplified by Betsson's recent entry.
- Paraguay's efforts to clean up its online gambling and sports betting sector include the deployment of technological tools to root out and block illegal platforms, aiming to decrease illegal activities and increase fiscal transparency.
- In the upcoming months, Paraguay's iGaming industry is expected to see significant growth, with the opening of the market, stricter regulation, and increased competition attracting global attention and boosting tax revenue beyond the 175 billion guaraníes collected in 2024.
