Provisions of the new gaming law regulation are being finalized, Paraguay officials confirm

The head of the National Directorate of Tax Income (DNIT), Oscar Orué, said that they are working on the regulatory decree of Law 7438, which modifies and extends Law 1016/97 on the operation of games of chance in Paraguay.

In a press conference after being received by President Santiago Peña, the executive said that, regarding the regulation of the new law, the document is expected to be ready in the next few days and that the intention is to give greater impulse to the management of the National Gaming Commission (Conajzar).

"One aspect has to do with the evasion related to games of chance, we want to improve the collection, but we also want to fight against illegal games of chance. Another important aspect is the incidence of games of chance in children, mainly in places where the operation of such games is not legal," the director of the DNIT stated.

"The president gave me his full support to manage and accompany this merger which, although it is already very advanced, we think that in 2025 we are going to achieve the total merger (Conajzar). We are happy with all the results," he added.

Carlos Liseras

On his part, the president of Conajzar, Carlos Liseras, also indicated that the decree is being studied by the technicians and will then be submitted to President Peña for his consideration. "With Dr. Oscar Orué, we are finalizing the details of the regulatory decree of Law 7438, and, in a short time, the president will be signing this document that will allow us to start with the strong operations that we are going to do all over the country," he commented in a statement to ABC 730 AM.

He also detailed that the draft decree being prepared contemplates the creation of a department for responsible gaming and the fight against gambling addiction and a department against money laundering. Regarding the former, he explained that they will sign agreements with the associations of businessmen and authorized operators, as well as with the Ministry of Health.

"With the incorporation of the Conajzar to the DNIT, we will have enough strength to fight against the clandestine operation of games of chance, which is the one that puts minors at risk," he highlighted.

Asked about the increase of illegal slot machines, he stated that previously the municipalities had the power to confiscate but now, with the amendment of the law, Conajzar will have the necessary logistics to be able to carry out the seizure operations without the need for the mayors to accompany them.

Regarding the bidding of sports betting, he pointed out that it is being studied and that it will be established with the regulatory decree. "The jurists are studying the feasibility of calling for a new bidding or not, taking into account that the current operator (Apostala) was awarded the operation on an exclusive basis until 2028," he commented.

Meanwhile, for the betting game, a bidding process will be called as soon as the law is regulated since the permit expires in November of this year.