Legality of land casinos, lotteries and sports betting - Paraguay

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1) Basic law and who is authorized to allow games

The legal framework of the market is set by Ley N ° 1016/1997 ("mode of operation of luck games and gambling"). The law explicitly prescribes: all types of gambling on it must be authorized by the National Gambling Commission (CONAJZAR). In October 2025, Ley N ° 7438/2025 entered into force, which modifies and expands Ley 1016, confirming the CONAJZAR authorization requirement and updating regulatory procedures. The regulator today operates in the DNIT (National Revenue Authority) circuit, where the current "Marco Jurídico" is assembled.

2) Land casinos: allowed under concession and regulations

Land casinos in Paraguay are allowed - as one of the classes of games listed by law (roulette, card/electronic games, etc.). The practical operating order is detailed by Presidential Decreto N ° 6206/1999 (expanded by Decreto N ° 3083/2015), which delegates to CONAJZAR the authority to authorize forms/modalities, tolerance conditions, and establish payments (canons). Thus, the opening/operation of the casino is possible only through the procedures and regulations of CONAJZAR.

What does this mean to the operator:

CONAJZAR Game List and Operating Rules (pliegos/reglamentos) required;
activity without authorization = violation of Ley 1016 (economic offense against fisk).

3) Lotteries and related products: allowed and subject to authorization

Lotteries and related games (reefs, bingo, quiniela, lotto, combinaciones aleatorias, electronic games, etc.) are included in the list of legal verticals and are allowed for operation subject to authorization/concession by CONAJZAR. The 2025 legal reviews emphasize that CONAJZAR can approve new modalities and authorize their operation as part of an updated version of the law.

Practice: CONAJZAR publishes resolutions (for example, on unclaimed prizes, the timing of their application and distribution), which are mandatory for lottery operators.

4) Sports betting: Legal, national concession

Sports betting is legal and regulated by CONAJZAR as a product of national competence. According to the results of Licitación Pública N ° 4/2017, the concession for the operation of bets was adjudicated by DARUMA SAM S.A. (Apostala brand) on the terms of exclusivity throughout the country; in November 2022, the regulator re-awarded the concession to the current holder (extension of the term). In 2025, industry media confirmed the status of the only authorized operator and indicated a period until 2028.

💡 Conclusion: the concessionaire defined by CONAJZAR has the right to accept rates in Paraguay; other sites/points without appropriate authorization act illegally.

5) Restrictions and protection of minors (slots outside the casino)

A separate control unit concerns slot sets outside the licensed halls. Ley N ° 6903/2022 and Decreto N ° 938/2023 strictly banned the presence and access of minors, as well as the placement of slot machines in shops, kiosks, on the street, etc.; these norms entailed the revision and cancellation of a number of previous permits. DNIT/MEF materials and industry publications record the bans in detail.

6) Liability for illegal exploitation

Ley 1016 makes exploitation of gambling without authorization an economic offense against the treasury. This gives grounds for sanctions, closing points and other control measures. In the updated structure of 2025, the CONAJZAR/DNIT functions for supervision and competitive procedures have been further modernized to increase transparency.

7) Quick Legality Checklist (2025)

Casinos (offline): allowed under the CONAJZAR concession/authorization, according to the Decreto 6206/1999 regulations (+ 3083/2015). Illegal exploitation is prohibited.

Lotteries/bingo/rinfs/electronic games: allowed as game classes; authorizations/competitions and compliance with resolutions (including prizes) are required.

Sports betting: legal, based on CONAJZAR national concession; the current concessionaire is DARUMA SAM (Apostala) with an extension of 2022 (it was reported to 2028).

Slot devices outside the casino: strictly limited/prohibited in places by laws 2022-2023; access of minors is excluded.

Updates 2025: Check Ley 7438/2025 revision and DNIT/CONAJZAR (Marco Jurídico) publications as it modifies Ley 1016 frames.

In Paraguay, land-based casinos, lottery products and sports betting are legal, but only with the authorization/concession of CONAJZAR and compliance with regulations. Sports betting is operated under a national concession (Apostala/Daruma Sam), and the placement of slot machines outside licensed halls is severely limited in the interests of protecting minors. Taking into account Ley 7438/2025, operators and investors should check all conditions precisely with the current version of the law and the current DNIT-CONAJZAR plegios/resolutions.