Paraguay’s Gambling Market on a Clear Path to Scaled Growth

Paraguay’s Gambling Market on a Clear Path to Scaled Growth is no longer an abstract forecast—it is an observable regulatory and commercial transition now underway. Paraguay is quietly reshaping its gambling industry. Once viewed as a small, closed, and heavily concentrated market, the country is now implementing the most significant regulatory changes in nearly 30 years. For operators and suppliers willing to play the long game, Paraguay is transitioning from a monopoly-driven framework to a controlled, compliance-led model that allows for measured competition.

In 2025, regulated gambling generated approximately 215.9 billion PYG (around 32–32.6 million USD), a 22.9% year-on-year increase and the highest figure ever reported by CONAJZAR. Although this figure is still modest compared to larger LATAM jurisdictions, the direction of travel is more important than the headline number. Paraguay is no longer static. It is building a regulatory foundation designed for gradual growth, tighter oversight, and predictable revenue collection.

Paraguay’s Gambling Market on a Clear Path to Scaled Growth: A Regulatory Reset Built for Control, Not Chaos

The turning point is Law No. 7438/2025, enacted in January 2025. This legislation modernizes the outdated gambling statute and places CONAJZAR under the National Directorate of Tax Revenue (DNIT) as a decentralized body with functional autonomy. The policy intent is clear: to improve tax efficiency, strengthen supervision, expand authorized gaming verticals, and dismantle long-standing monopoly structures without opening the door to regulatory disorder.

Secondary regulations issued in mid-2025 translated the law into operational reality. New technical structures were created to oversee monitoring systems, data transmission, and coordination between the DNIT and the CONAJZAR. From an operator’s perspective, this signals a more demanding yet predictable environment. Enforcement capacity is improving, and regulatory discretion is being replaced by process.

The legal framework now clearly recognizes a broad portfolio of gaming activities, including land-based casinos, lotteries, quinielas, bingo, telebingos, sports betting, electronic gaming machines, lotteries, and online casinos. At the same time, Paraguay has maintained conservative social safeguards, such as restrictions on slot machines in public spaces where minors are present. This reinforces the country’s preference for controlled growth over rapid expansion.

Quiniela: The First Real Test of Competition

The quiniela tender, which was launched in November 2025, is the clearest demonstration that reform is moving from theory to practice. Public Tender LP No. 01/2025 allows up to three national operators, ending nearly three decades of single-operator dominance. The bid processes were structured and transparent, with defined timelines and formal oversight.

This process is widely seen as a benchmark for future tenders. Under the new regime, national concessions may last up to 20 years but are no longer automatically renewable. This creates periodic competitive pressure while maintaining long-term investment horizons, a balance that many emerging markets struggle to achieve.