National Lotteries and Bingo - Paraguay

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1) Legal framework and regulator

The basis is laid by Ley Nº 1016/1997: any exploitation of games for good luck is possible only with the authorization of CONAJZAR; unauthorized games are prohibited.

In January 2025, Ley Nº 7438/2025 was adopted, which modernized the 1016th law and determined that the regulation of games is carried out by CONAJZAR as a deconcentrated body within DNIT (Nat. revenue authority).

Decreto Nº 3846/2025 (section "Marco Jurídico" on the DNIT portal) has been published for application, which details the new supervision structure (creation of Dirección General de Juegos de Azar) and procedures for documents/systems.

The CONAJZAR (DNIT) page lists its functions: preparation and approval of pliegos, holding national competitions, administration of canons, etc.

2) What products are legal (important for lotto and bingo)

After the 2025 update, the permitted modalities directly include: lotteries, reefs (combinaciones aleatorias/chance), bingo, quiniela, electronic games, sports betting, racing games, telebingo, casino online, quiniseis and lotto.

The basic definitions of individual games (e.g. telebingo) are enshrined in the materials of the Congress/texts of the law.

3) Lotteries and "combinations on occasion" (rifas/chance)

For one-time draws (cars, equipment, certificates, etc.), the Combinaciones Aleatorias/Chance mode is valid with the unified CONAJZAR application and permit forms; relevant resolutions and forms are published on the DNIT portal.

Requirements include confirmation of ownership of prizes and correct registration of transfer of rights to expensive assets.

4) Bingo and telebingo

Bingo is held according to the rules approved by CONAJZAR, and telebingo - according to individual plegs (a national product with live draws). The standard PBC for telebingo establishes the requirements for tax discipline, AML/CTF and reporting to CONAJZAR, including compliance with SEPRELAD standards.

5) Quiniela and Instant Lotteries

Quiniela is defined in Ley 1016/1997 itself (bets on numbers with fix/change. dividends based on circulation results).

For instant (instance) products ("raspaditas"), operators publish regulations indicating the timing of the ticket for payment (typically up to 60 working days after the end of the game).

6) Prizes: payouts, unclaimed winnings and deductions

Term and unclaimed prizes. Under the new 2025 model, unclaimed prizes (not issued/presented) must be listed in FONARESS (nat. health resources fund) - within 30 working days after the end of the 60-day presentation period. Previously there was a scheme with distribution to charity, but Ley 7438 changed this.

Withholding tax. Cash prizes are subject to 8% IRP withholding upon payment - the procedure was approved by Decreto Nº 4661/2020; DNIT publishes the clarifications and forms of the Compromante de Retención.

7) Who gets the right to draw and how

National products (telebingo, lotto, quiniseis, etc.) - through public contests and concessions/authorization CONAJZAR.

For one-time promotions (chance/raffles) - a package is submitted according to the CONAJZAR forms (description of mechanics, prizes, reporting), the established canons are paid.

8) Why it is important to check "legality"

CONAJZAR/DNIT maintain the Registro Nacional de Operadores and regularly publish acts and clarifications; participation in unlicensed games is interpreted as clandestino, and the regulator received expanded powers to block and withdraw.

National lotteries and bingo in Paraguay are strictly legal formats managed by CONAJZAR (as part of DNIT): from telebingo, quiniela, lotto/quiniseis to combinations on occasion. In 2025, the updated framework (Ley 7438/2025 + Decreto 3846/2025) has strengthened transparency and control: unified procedures are established, unclaimed prizes are sent to FONARESS, and cash winnings are subject to 8% IRP withholding. When planning an action or participation, consult the register of operators and the current pliegos - and play only with authorized organizers.