Paraguay is moving towards change in its gambling industry. This month, the government presented a bill to modify current legislation (Law nº 1,016/1997), aiming to liberalize the market.
This will end the current monopoly. The proposal, defended by the executive branch, has already received partial approval in the Chamber of Deputies and now goes to the Senate.
Therefore, one of the objectives of the bill is to open the market to private companies, moving away from the current exclusive public bidding model. With the new model, operators will be able to enter the market more freely. This will stimulate competition and allow more interested parties to operate in the sector.
An important provision of the project is to strengthen the National Gambling Commission (Conajzar), which will be under the National Directorate of Tax Revenue (DNIT). This action aims to improve regulation and supervision of the sector, in addition to increasing tax collection.
Economic policy in Paraguay and next steps
Carlos Liseras, president of Conajzar, declared that flexibility will bring more fiscal resources, greater competitiveness and new opportunities for operators and workers.
Furthermore, the proposal comes at a time of significant changes in Paraguay. The market is developing rapidly. Liseras noted that technological and economic advances have driven new types of games and an increase in providers and users.
These changes reflect economic policy under the current government, which began in August 2023. The law is expected to attract foreign investment, creating jobs and contributing to the economy. Competition will allow workers to choose between different companies, promoting a healthy job market.
Representative Billy Vaesken supported the project, highlighting more opportunities in the betting sector. He stated that greater competition will allow for a varied offering of games, benefiting workers and consumers.
Next steps
After approval in the Chamber, the project goes to the Senate. If approved, it could mark a new era for the gaming industry in the country, promoting growth and innovation. The expectation is for an increase in foreign investment and greater job creation, becoming a pillar of the economy in the following years.
