In early November, Paraguay's government introduced a bill to amend the country's gambling laws, specifically Law No 1,016/1997, which also aims to strengthen the role of the National Commission of Gambling (Conajzar). This legislation is designed to liberalize Paraguay's gambling market.
The proposed changes would enhance Conajzar’s authority by placing it under the National Tax Revenue Directorate (DNIT). Currently, the law stipulates that the exploitation of national games of chance must be conducted exclusively through public tender. However, the new bill seeks to open up these activities to more competition.
On the previous day, the chamber of deputies, the lower house of Paraguay's legislature, partially approved the bill, which President Santiago Peña and Finance Minister Carlos Fernandez Valdovinos signed. The next step is for the senate to review it for final approval.
Carlos Liseras, president of Conajzar, expressed optimism, stating that increased competition in the gambling market would lead to higher tax contributions for the government. He said, “It is a fundamental step to democratise the market and allow greater competitiveness, which will translate into benefits for both operators and the state.”
The proposed legislation aims to dismantle existing monopolies, allowing private entities to participate in the market without being restricted to tender processes. This shift reflects Paraguay's evolving social and economic landscape since the current government took office in August 2023.
The bill emphasizes that the country has undergone significant economic and social changes, contributing to the growth of various markets, including gambling, which has seen advancements in technology and an increase in both providers and users.
Besides encouraging market competition, another principal aim of the bill is to enhance Conajzar's effectiveness as a regulatory body. By aligning Conajzar with DNIT, the legislation seeks to improve revenue collection and empower the commission for more effective institutional governance. The general director of Conajzar would oversee all gambling operations in Paraguay, which includes coordination, development, control, and supervision.
