Paraguay continues its consultation period as the government secures feedback to launch a new gambling market, ending the exclusivity of municipal contracts for gambling and sports betting franchises.
The Paraguayan Association of Gambling Operators (APOJA) has called for the introduction of a “.bet.py” domain to clearly identify licensed platforms and help consumers distinguish legal sites from the sprawling black market.
The trade body argues that without such a measure, players – and in particular minors – remain dangerously exposed to illegal operators.
Lorena Rojas, president of APOJA, warned that “there’s no oversight on illegal websites. Added to this are the multiple payment methods, such as withdrawals from phone company wallets, credit or debit cards, or even cell phone balance. All of this creates a worrying situation within the family environment.”
The association has pressed the government to tighten youth protection measures, noting that online casinos and betting sites lack even the most basic safeguards. Unlike land-based casinos, where entry for under-18s is prohibited, online platforms can be accessed freely, often without ID checks, self-exclusion options, or guarantees that winnings will be paid out.
APOJA has urged legislators to align online and land-based gambling laws, pointing to the precedent set by the “Slot Machine Law” of 2022, which banned slot machines from streets and public venues. “The same thing happens with online gambling: some own the platforms, while others lease their use to operators,” Rojas explained, arguing that regulatory parity is needed to protect consumers across both environments.
The intervention comes as Paraguay undertakes a major overhaul of its gambling laws. A decree passed earlier this year (No. 3846/2025) ended the monopoly system and restructured the National Gaming Commission (CONAJZAR) as a decentralised body under the National Directorate of Tax Revenue (DNIT). The reforms expanded licensing opportunities – moving from a single licence in lotteries and sports betting to three – while giving DNIT greater authority to design and oversee gambling concessions.
President Santiago Peña has pitched the reform as the start of a modern, competitive regime, designed to attract international operators while tightening controls. Swedish-listed Betsson was among the first to secure a casino licence last year, with other European and regional operators eyeing entry into Paraguay’s liberalised market.
APOJA’s proposals now place pressure on the government to complement its structural reforms with consumer protections, particularly around youth access to online gambling. With further amendments expected before the end of 2025, policymakers are being urged to adopt digital markers like the .bet.py domain to differentiate legal operators from offshore sites.
Rojas concluded: “Illegal platforms don’t require identification, they don’t have self-exclusion systems, and most seriously, they don’t prevent minors from participating. Education and clear differentiation mechanisms are urgently needed.”
The government is expected to publish updates to the framework in the coming months, with full implementation of the revised system slated for early 2026.
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