Paraguay awards two lottery operation concessions
Paraguayan President Santiago Peña has formalized a transcendental change in the country's gambling structure by signing Decree Number 5971 dated May 4, 2026. With this measure, the Executive Branch authorizes the awarding of the quiniela lottery to two different business groups, marking the definitive end of a monopoly stage in this strategic sector of the national economy. The decision is based on the new Gambling Amendment Law, whose regulation last year allowed the market to open to multiple operators with the aim of fostering competition and transparency in the industry.
Licenses have been granted to the consortium formed by Daruma Sam S.A., Caproni SA, and Dataforge S.A., as well as to the firm Technologies Development of Paraguay S.A., commercially known as TDP SA and the current operator of the game in the territory. Both entities met the technical and legal requirements established by the National Gambling Commission (Conajzar) during Public Tender Number 01/2025. The final resolution was submitted to the Executive after a thorough evaluation by the National Tax Revenue Directorate in conjunction with the Ministry of Economy and Finance, ensuring that the selected proposals align with the Paraguayan State's revenue collection and fiscal control objectives.
The new exploitation contracts will be valid for five years, during which time the concessionaires must pay a monthly fee equivalent to 19 percent of their gross revenue. To safeguard state revenues, the decree sets a guaranteed minimum floor of 9.5 billion guaraníes per month. This amount is not static, as an annual readjustment scheme has been stipulated, which will begin to apply from the thirteenth month of operation until the end of the concession period. Before proceeding with the definitive signing of the contracts, the awarded companies have 15 business days to present the guarantees of faithful compliance and the substitute payments required in the terms and conditions.
The bidding process initially attracted interest from three groups, although the Forte Capital Consortium formally decided to withdraw its offer before the conclusion of the contest. It is important to note that, while the quiniela lottery is opening up to competition under this new legal framework that allows for up to three offers, the sports betting segment maintains a different dynamic in Paraguay. In this vertical, the current contract with the company Daruma, operator of the Apostala brand, is valid until 2028, which postpones any opening to new players in that specific market for the time being.
The Apostala brand has highlighted that this advancement in the awarding of the quiniela lottery significantly contributes to strengthening a regulated market. According to the operator, having clearer and safer conditions promotes a sustainable environment for both users and state coffers. Likewise, they reaffirmed their commitment to promoting responsible gambling and continuous innovation to improve the experience of those who participate in these recreational activities under the protection of the law.
Tags: Paraguay, Paraguay lotteries, Paraguay quiniela, online lottery Paraguay