Paraguay Targets Illegal Gambling in Major Law Overhaul

Senators say the current regulator has 12 staff for the whole country. The bill adds 26 online licenses, a register for influencers and prison terms of up to five years.

Paraguay Bill Would Replace Gambling Regulator and Jail Illegal Operators

Francis Gable

29/10/26 · 2 minOctober 29, 2026 · 2 min read

Paraguay's government has sent the Senate a bill that would abolish the national gambling regulator and let a stronger successor seek up to five years in prison for illegal operators, ABC Color reported on Oct. 26.

The bill, sent to lawmakers on Oct. 12, would replace the National Gambling Commission (Conajzar) with a National Directorate of Gambling (Dinajzar). The new agency would control its own budget and operations.

The gap it aims to close is stark. Conajzar has just 12 officials to police gambling nationwide, Senator Luis Pettengill said at a joint Senate committee meeting on Oct. 26.

"We have a major lack of control over gambling involving minors in every city in the country."

Pettengill made the remark after the meeting, according to the Senate's account.

Regulator Says Illegal Gambling Is Outrunning It

Conajzar President Carlos Liseras told the committees that monthly fees from licensed operators rose from about 12 billion guaraníes ($2 million) to 21 billion guaraníes ($3.6 million). That money helps fund the state's social welfare agency.

Conajzar was folded into the national tax agency roughly a year ago. Since then, Liseras told ABC Color, organizing a raid after a complaint has taken 15 to 20 days, when it should take two at most.

Online Licenses and Influencers Face New Rules

The bill would put 26 online gambling licenses out to tender, Liseras said. Provisional permits issued under a 2025 law run until January 2028, giving current holders time to bid.

Licensees would pay a minimum fee of 12 million guaraníes (about $2,000) plus 7% of net win, meaning what players stake minus what they win back. Liseras said that rate will be studied again.

Influencers, media outlets and other promoters would have to sign up on a national register. Those who promote gambling without authorization could face criminal charges, Liseras said.

Finance Ministry officials urged senators to keep the new agency from growing out of proportion. Pettengill said the committees aim to agree a more defined text within 15 days of the Oct. 26 meeting.

Treat gambling as entertainment you pay for. 18+, and if it stops feeling like entertainment, help exists at BeGambleAware and GamCare.