Paraguay promotes iGaming modernization, transparency at SAGSE 2026
During SAGSE South America 2026, Giovanna Magalhães U. presented a detailed analysis of the transformation of Paraguay's regulatory framework, highlighting advances in regional cooperation and institutional strengthening. One of the most significant changes is the restructuring of the National Gaming Commission (CONAJZAR), which has now come under the direct purview of the National Tax Revenue Directorate. This transition responds to the need to provide the agency with greater resources and human capital, considering that it initially had only 20 to 30 officials, an insufficient number to supervise a rapidly expanding sector.
Legislative modernization has been another fundamental pillar in this process. Last year, the online casino modality was officially incorporated into the law, and last May, the regulatory decree establishing the operational bases of the sector was promulgated. Under this new regulation, CONAJZAR will issue specific technical guidelines (as dictated by Article 5 of the decree) for online operations, seeking to guarantee legal certainty and efficient fiscalization of resources.
Demonopolization and opening of the betting market
The new Paraguayan legal landscape is committed to competition and the elimination of historical monopolies. Key points of this opening include:
- End of the sports betting monopoly: Previously, the market had only one company, but the new regulation now allows up to three licenses per modality.
- Implementation of administrative procedures: CONAJZAR will apply a renewed legal framework to manage new concessions transparently.
- Fiscalization of Electronic Nazar Games: This category distinguishes between high-investment operators with approved machines and operators of lower-value machines, popularly known as coin-operated machines.
Banking challenges and import barriers
Despite regulatory advances, sector entrepreneurs face critical difficulties in accessing traditional financial services. The Importer Registry requires possession of a bank current account, a requirement that clashes with the restriction and limitation policy that many banks apply to gambling operators.
As a strategic alternative, the opening of savings accounts at the Banco Nacional de Fomento (BNF/IDF) has been managed. This solution allows authorized companies to manage national operations and, since last year, has facilitated the transition from cash salary payments to the banking system, improving the industry's financial traceability. The Paraguayan Association of Gambling Entrepreneurs (APEJA) continues to work hand in hand with the authorities to break down these barriers and ensure equal treatment among all legal operators.
Tags: Paraguay, SAGSE 2026, SAGSE Buenos Aires, Online betting Paraguay, CONAJZAR