Paraguay Sets to End Gambling Monopoly: Provisional Approval Secured

The Senate is set to review the bill in early December, with the vote anticipated to finalise positively and trigger a full-scale transformation of the domestic entertainment sector.

Key Highlights of the Initiative

The proposed reforms outline several key goals aimed at reshaping the gambling niche:

1. The initiative intends to introduce numerous amusement segments, including sports wagering, across diverse platforms for locals.
2. This proposal seeks to curb the regional monopoly, fostering a more competitive and investor-friendly environment.
3. The document's key objective is to achieve maximum liberalisation of the gaming sector.

The passage of the draft law will help:

• bolster the role of the Conajzar commission;
• boost the effectiveness of taxation programmes;
• enhance the regulatory capabilities of the supervisory authority.

Transferring the regulatory body from Paraguay’s Ministry of Economy to DNIT is expected to increase state treasury incomes.

Statements from the Country’s Deputies

Rocío Abed believes the draft law introduced by the executive branch is a clear call to de-monopolise the entertainment industry. According to the MP, the document experienced several revisions and amendments before its final version, with Social Equity making fundamental edits. The committee holds substantial sway over public opinion.

Adrián “Billy” Vaesken stated that an identical bill was presented for the lottery segment about a year ago. He noted that the latest proposal shares the same objective as the previous initiative.

The MP believes the new bill will contribute to:

• fostering healthy market competition;
• developing the gaming sector;
• providing economic benefits to Diben and similar organisations.

Mr Vaesken also stated that ending the monopoly would give businesses a substantial advantage. Enterprises with expertise in selling and commercialising gaming projects are poised to enter and elevate the market to new heights.

Reaction of the Private Organisations and Alliances

The following associations are actively involved in the discussions:

• APOJA;
• Sintraquiba.

Lorena Rojas, APOJA’s President, believes that the approval of the proposal will mark a historic milestone for the state’s amusement industry. For over a decade, the community has challenged the monopoly's constitutionality through protests, rallies, and approximately 7 proposed bills, all of which were eventually withdrawn from review.

Ultimately, Paraguay's President has taken a historic step, marking significant progress. APOJA, alongside various sectoral associations and Sintraquiba, hopes the law amendments will be finalised by the end of 2024.