At this year’s SAGSE Paraguay exhibition in Asunción, Óscar Orué, the Director of the country’s DNIT, discussed Law No. 7438/2025. It is dedicated to the transformation of local gambling verticals and delivers notable changes to the current Act No. 1016/1997.
The updates are aimed at eliminating exclusivity, increasing healthy competition, and revising the industry’s revenue distribution model.
End of Monopolies and Fresh Market Opportunities
Among the key changes to the law is the abolition of exceptional rights to certain activities, such as lotteries and sports betting. Previously, only one operator worked in the wagering segment, but now up to 3 licensed companies will be allowed for each game.
This reform is designed to:
- stimulate fair competition;
- expand the choice for gamblers;
- increase incomes to the national budget.
According to Mr Orué, the purpose of the amendment is 2-fold: market diversification and the fight against the shadow market. Allowing several niche participants will increase turnover in the legal sphere, improve transparency, and strengthen state control.
Licensing Tenders for Bookmakers in 2026
The main announcement concerned plans to open up the sports betting vertical to new players through a public contest in 2026. The decision was taken on President Santiago Peña's instructions, although the current concession of Daruma SAM (Apostala) remains in effect until 2028.
The tender will allow 2 more operators to join, effectively closing the monopoly era and modifying the competition-related landscape. This shift is expected to lead to new investments and cutting-edge solutions in the wagering sector.
Changes in the Revenue Distribution System
The reform also alters the way concession commissions are paid. Charges will now be collected by the DNIT, which will then allocate them to governmental bodies and social programs.
The distribution scheme is as follows:
- National level — 30% to municipalities, departments, and DIBEN each and 10% to the National Treasury.
- Asunción — 25% to the city and DIBEN, 20% to departments and low-income municipalities, and 10% to General Revenues.
- Regional and local tiers — 30% to governmental bodies and DIBEN, and 10% to the National Treasury.
This model aims to ensure a more balanced management of funds, so that gambling earnings benefit both urban and rural areas.
Social Responsibility and Consumer Protection
The law provides for more difficult measures to formalise the market and promote a responsible approach to real-money games. Among the priorities are the prevention of minors' access to industry projects and control over advertising in this area. These steps bring Paraguay’s regulatory policy closer to international consumer protection protocols.
Mr Orué emphasised that the expansion of opportunities will be accompanied by stricter government supervision. The authorities expect that market development will have a tangible effect on the economy through taxes, job creation, and social initiative funding.
Prospects for Gambling Operators
The law update opens up access to a dynamic and liberalised business realm for investors. Several licensed participants and a modern regulatory format create a favourable base for further growth. The success of these changes, as Mr Orué noted, largely depends on the transparency of work and partnership between the state and the private sector.
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