The Chamber of Deputies of Paraguay has been pushed to issue an explanation as to why it has “shelved plans” for a review of specific amendments to overhaul the South American nation’s gambling regime.
It comes after lobbying efforts from APOJA, Paraguay’s Gambling Association, suggested that the Chamber needs to provide stakeholders with an update on whether articles to reform Paraguay’s gambling regime had been terminated.
At the close of 2023, the trade body secured support from ministers to file six articles amending Paraguay’s Gambling Law, with specific provisions to end the monopoly rights of gambling activities.
Ministers supported APOJA due to a controversial sports betting tender managed by Conajzar, the National Gambling Commission of Paraguay.
Conajzar was accused of abusing its privileges by launching a tender for a national sports betting franchise without consulting relevant authorities and submitting an inaccurate competition framework to the federal government.
The sports betting group was awarded to Daruma SAM, the operator of Aposta.LA betting shops in the capital municipality of Gran Asunción.
However, the concession was immediately postponed, as Conajzar was placed under investigation by CONACOM, the competition authority of Paraguay.
As reported by SBCNoticias: “Lawmakers originally discussed the text in April but decided to postpone its treatment for three months. After that deadline, the initiative remains ‘shelved,’ which is why the operators expressed their anger with the legislature.”
The infringement saw APOJA launch its mandate to amend Paraguay’s gambling laws, calling on the newly elected government of Santiago Pena to reform Conajzar and end the monopoly of gambling concessions.
Amendments by APOJA are looking to bring about widespread change to the duties of Conajzar, which will serve solely as a supervisory agency of Paraguayan gambling, with no duties on licensing.
The government has been told to mirror other South American nations, such as Colombia and Peru, by ending monopoly concessions and promoting a liberalised market to raise tax funds for social projects.APOJA President Lorena Rojas warned of the need to reform the regulations before the current contract expires so that the concession is not renewed under the same scheme.
