The Chamber of Deputies in Paraguay is being called upon to explain why it has “shelved plans” to review proposed amendments aimed at overhauling the country’s gambling regulations. This follows lobbying efforts by APOJA, Paraguay’s Gambling Association, which insists that stakeholders deserve an update on whether the articles intended to reform the gambling regime have been abandoned.
In late 2023, APOJA garnered ministerial support to file six articles amending Paraguay’s Gambling Law, including provisions to end monopoly rights over gambling activities.
This support was largely in response to a controversial sports betting tender managed by Conajzar, the National Gambling Commission of Paraguay, which was accused of abusing its authority by launching a tender for a national sports betting franchise without proper consultation or an accurate competition framework.
The tender was awarded to Daruma SAM, operator of Aposta.LA betting shops in Asunción, but was immediately postponed as Conajzar came under investigation by Paraguay’s competition authority, CONACOM.
As a result, APOJA initiated efforts to amend Paraguay’s gambling laws, urging the newly elected government of Santiago Pena to reform Conajzar and eliminate monopoly gambling concessions.
APOJA’s proposed amendments aim to transform Conajzar into a purely supervisory agency with no licensing duties. The government has been encouraged to follow the examples of other South American countries, such as Colombia and Peru, by ending monopoly concessions and promoting a liberalized market to increase tax revenue for social projects. APOJA President Lorena Rojas emphasized the urgency of reforming the regulations before the current contract expires to prevent a renewal under the same conditions.
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