Paraguay Considers Independent Gambling Regulator.
Paraguay’s Senate is reviewing a bill to replace the National Commission of Gambling (Conajzar) with an independent regulator. The proposal also aims to strengthen action against unlicensed gambling operators.
However, the bill remains under committee review. Lawmakers have not approved it, and no implementation date has been set.
Senate Committees Review Proposed Reforms
The government submitted bill S-2604162 to Congress on 12 October. The bill reached Senate committees two days later. On 26 October, a joint committee meeting continued the review.
Senator Luis Pettengill said lawmakers aimed to prepare a more detailed version within 15 days. This deadline covers the drafting process, not the law’s approval or launch.
The bill has not yet received a full Senate vote. If approved, it would create the National Directorate of Gambling (DINAJZAR). The agency would operate independently, hold its own assets and report to the executive through the Ministry of Finance.
DINAJZAR would take over gambling duties now handled by Conajzar and the National Directorate of Tax Revenue. It would also replace parts of Paraguay’s current gambling rules.
Licensing Rules Remain Under Discussion
Paraguay’s Law 7438/2025 allows up to three sports betting concessions and three quiniela concessions. Online casino licences, meanwhile, require a tender process.
However, these limits do not confirm that all available concessions have been awarded. They also do not show that every market segment has strong competition.
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Under the proposed bill, tendered concessions would generally last up to 10 years, with no renewal. Separate rules allow longer terms for certain land-based casino investments.
NEXT has reported that Paraguay has 26 online gambling licences. It has also cited a monthly minimum fee and a 7% gross gaming revenue charge. However, the filed bill does not confirm these figures as proposed requirements.
Some temporary authorisations under the current framework may remain valid until January 2028 at the latest. However, individual permits may expire sooner under their own terms.
Bill Targets Illegal Gambling and Protects Players
The bill would give DINAJZAR the power to order blocks against unauthorised online gambling services. It would also set procedures for these actions.
Paraguay’s current law already gives Conajzar some power to monitor and block online gambling transmissions. Therefore, the proposal would build on existing enforcement rules.
The bill also proposes penalties for commercial illegal gambling. Offenders could face up to five years in prison or a fine.
In addition, the proposal includes measures to protect players. Articles 40 to 42 cover age and identity checks, deposit limits and time limits requested by players. They also require warnings and clear identification of licensed operators. The bill would ban gambling ads aimed at minors.
The proposal allows future regulations to set rules for voluntary self-exclusion. However, the bill does not directly create the central self-exclusion register mentioned in some reports.
Similarly, the filed text does not confirm specific advertising-hour limits. It also does not set a separate registration requirement for influencers.
As the Senate continues its review, lawmakers may still change the bill. If they approve it, Paraguay could establish an independent gambling regulator and strengthen action against illegal operators. Until then, the proposed reforms remain under discussion.
