Comparison with Argentina and Uruguay - Paraguay
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1) In short: who allows what (condition as of October 2025)
Paraguay. The Basic Law Ley 1016/1997 revised Ley 7438/2025 updated the regulatory framework: all games are allowed only under the CONAJZAR authorization/concession, and the order is detailed by Decreto 3846/2025; oversight is institutionally embedded in DNIT. Online verticals (including "casino online") are provided for by the framework law; sports betting is operated on the basis of a national concession (Apostala/Daruma SAM).
Argentina. Regulation is decentralized: there is a provincial model in which the provinces (and the autonomous city of Buenos Aires) themselves issue licenses for online games and bets; in most jurisdictions, online is already allowed with local authorization. The general principle is "prohibited unless authorized by the competent authority"; the sector is actively growing.
Uruguay. Online casinos and poker are prohibited, the only legal online product is Supermatch sports betting under the auspices of the state-owned La Banca (monopoly model). The authorities regularly confirm the ban on unlicensed online games and increase blocking/control.
2) Tolerance modes and regulators
Paraguay is a centralized model. The market leads CONAJZAR (in the DNIT circuit), launches contests (pliegos) and concludes concessions; Decreto 3846/2025 regulates the updated management architecture and creates Dirección General de Juegos de Azar.
Argentina - provincial regulators. Licensing of online casinos/betting is carried out by provincial lottery/gambling institutions, including the metropolitan B2C mode for CABA and prov. Buenos Aires; there is no federal "single" license.
Uruguay - DNLQ/MEF and La Banca. Supervision is carried out by the Dirección Nacional de Loterías y Quinielas (DNLQ) of the Ministry of Finance; La Banca de Quinielas operates sports betting (Supermatch) on an exclusive basis; other online games are prohibited (legal prohibition is confirmed by acts and positions of power).
3) Online Casinos and Online Betting: Comparative Alignment
Paraguay. The 2025 Act explicitly covers online formats: the launch of "casino online" requires participation in a public competition and authorization by CONAJZAR; online sports betting is already operated under an exclusive Apostala (Daruma SAM) concession.
Argentina. Online casinos/betting are legal under provincial licenses (term sheets and regulations - at the level of each jurisdiction); the market is considered one of the largest in the region.
Uruguay. Only Supermatch online betting is allowed; online casinos/poker are prohibited, authorities are regularly reminded of responsibility for participating in unlicensed sites.
4) Offline casinos and other types of games
Paraguay. Land-based casinos and lottery products are legal under CONAJZAR concessions/authorizations; placement of slot sets outside the permitted locations is severely limited (protection of minors).
Argentina. Offline casino and lotto - subject of provincial competence; regimes and taxes differ between jurisdictions. The basic principle is the permission of the local authority.
Uruguay. Strong role of the state in the land segment; online bans do not interfere with offline casinos with an appropriate permit base, but remote casinos remain illegal.
5) Where is it easier to enter the market and what is the logic of compliance
Paraguay: single "entry point" (CONAJZAR/DNIT), transparent contests; for sports betting, the market is occupied by the concessionaire; for online casinos - look at the announcement of plegs/competition according to the new version of the law.
Argentina: many entrances (by province), but each with its own regulations, sets of documents and deadlines. For B2C strategies, they often start with the largest jurisdictions (Province/City of Buenos Aires).
Uruguay: entry restricted: online casinos prohibited; sports betting - state monopoly (Supermatch). Private operators are left with B2B niches/technical contractors on the state. side or offline segments outside the remote format.
6) Key findings for the investor
1. Paraguay after Ley 7438/2025 and Decreto 3846/2025 - a predictable centralized model with competitions under the auspices of CONAJZAR/DNIT; online bets are exclusive (Apostala), online casinos - as part of future competitions.
2. Argentina is a mature but fragmented market: success requires Jurassic operational multi-ecosystem (multi-licensing by province).
3. Uruguay - conservative online: only Supermatch state sports are allowed; online casinos are prohibited and subject to lockdowns/sanctions.
Sources and further reading
Paraguay: Ley 7438/2025 (BACN) and Decreto 3846/2025 (DNIT/MEF, industry publications).
Paraguay (sports betting): adjudication of DARUMA SAM/Apostala concession (news 2022-2023).
Argentina: ICLG "Gambling 2025 - Argentina" and industry reviews about the provincial model.
Uruguay: Confirmations of Supermatch Monopoly and Online Casino Ban (DNLQ/Media Notices 2025).