Paraguay's gaming market starts 2026 with 16% growth
The gambling industry in Paraguay continues to consolidate its upward trend after reporting a first quarter of 2026 with figures significantly exceeding those of the previous year. According to official data published by the National Tax Revenue Directorate (DNIT), the accumulated collection from fees by the National Gaming Commission (Conajzar) between January and March reached 55,043,082,903 guaraníes, a figure equivalent to approximately 8.2 million dollars. This result marks a 16 percent increase compared to the same period in 2025, reaffirming that the sector is experiencing a period of sustained expansion under new state supervision.
The monthly analysis of this start to the year shows operational stability that excites regulators. January positioned itself as the month with the highest collection, reaching 18.703 billion guaraníes, setting a new historical high for the start of the season. February closed with 18.022 billion, and March maintained the positive momentum with a contribution of 18.316 billion guaraníes. These figures reflect an industry that has not only managed to maintain its pace after a record-breaking 2025 but is also optimizing its resource collection processes month by month.
This positive performance occurs in a context of profound institutional changes for gambling in the country. The definitive integration of Conajzar into the DNIT structure has provided the agency with greater technical capacity for oversight and control of operations. This new administrative dynamic seeks not only to maximize tax collection but also to strengthen barriers against irregularity in the betting market. By having more robust and centralized supervisory tools, the Paraguayan state is ensuring that the dynamism of iGaming and land-based games translates more efficiently into revenue for the treasury.
It is important to remember that 2025 closed as an extraordinary period for the Paraguayan industry, with a total annual collection of 215.940 billion guaraníes, representing an 8.5 percent increase compared to 2024. The fact that the first quarter of 2026 already shows a double-digit percentage advantage suggests that projections for the end of this cycle will be even more ambitious, benefiting from a regulatory framework that prioritizes transparency and compliance with concession contracts.
The transformation of the gambling sector in Paraguay is not limited solely to collection figures. The country is undergoing a legislative reorganization process centered on the integration of the National Gaming Commission (Conajzar) within the National Tax Revenue Directorate (DNIT). This move, consolidated between 2025 and the beginning of 2026, has changed the rules of the game for operators and concessionaires, prioritizing money traceability and the protection of the most vulnerable sectors of society.
Modalities under state control
Paraguayan regulations classify gambling into various categories, each with a specific exploitation regime that seeks to prevent market saturation and ensure constant revenue for the State:
- Games of National Exclusivity: These include Quiniela, which is the most popular modality and is granted through a single concession for the entire territory. Deferred Lottery and national Sports Betting also fall into this category.
- Casinos and Gaming Halls: Their establishment is subject to quotas by department and city, requiring minimum investments in tourism infrastructure.
- Slot machines in non-exclusive locations: One of the most drastic changes in the new law (Law 6903/22 and its updates) is the total prohibition of slot machines in businesses that are not exclusive gaming halls. The objective is to remove these devices from convenience stores, pharmacies, and markets to protect minors.
- Sports Betting and iGaming: Although Paraguay already had regulations for the digital environment, the new DNIT oversight requires platforms to operate with real-time monitoring systems directly connected to the tax authorities.
The licensing and concession system
Under the new scheme, the licensing process has become more rigorous, eliminating the discretion that previously existed at the municipal level for certain modalities.
- Concessions by Tender: For exclusive modalities (such as Quiniela or Sports Betting), a national and international public tender is issued. Companies must demonstrate economic solvency, technical capacity, and a social responsibility plan.
- Direct Operating Permits: These apply to land-based casinos and bingo halls, where Conajzar evaluates the suitability of the operator and the strategic location of the establishment.
- Fixed and variable fees: Operators must pay a monthly fee which, depending on the modality, can be a pre-established fixed amount or a direct percentage of gross gaming revenue (GGR). This is the flow that has allowed the 16 percent growth reported in this first quarter.
Oversight and the fight against illegality
The big news for 2026 is Conajzar's sanctioning power, enhanced by the DNIT. Authorities now have the power to conduct direct interventions in establishments operating without a license, seize machines, and apply fines calculated based on the severity of the offense. Additionally, an electronic identification system has been implemented for authorized machines, allowing inspectors (and citizens themselves) to verify the legality of a device by scanning official codes.
This regulatory effort not only seeks to fill state coffers but also to formalize an industry that for years operated under fragmented regulations. With centralization in the DNIT, Paraguay aspires to become a predictable market for international investors seeking legal certainty in the region.
Tags: CONAJZAR / DNIT / Directorate General of Gambling — Paraguay, Conajzar, Paraguay, online betting Paraguay