The gambling market in Paraguay is undergoing a profound transformation. The National Gambling Commission (Conajzar) formalized the awarding of two concessions for the exploitation of the quiniela (lottery) throughout the national territory, marking the end of decades of monopoly in one of the country’s most profitable businesses: a market valued at over $120 million annually.
Read more Constitutional Court of Colombia annuls VAT on online gambling and orders its refund
What Conajzar resolved in its session on April 17
During the ordinary session held on April 17, Conajzar’s board approved Resolution No. 47/2026, through which it awarded the two concessions contemplated in Public Tender No. 01/2025. The meeting was attended by representatives from the Ministry of Interior, the Directorate of Charity and Social Assistance (Diben), municipalities, and governorships, and was presided over by a representative from the National Directorate of Tax Revenues (DNIT).
Who are the two awarded operators
The concessions were granted to two different bidders. The first is a consortium formed by the companies Daruma SAM, Caproni, and Dataforge. The second is the firm Technologies Development of Paraguay (TDP), which until now had been operating the quiniela under an expired contract.
According to Conajzar’s official statement, both proposals fully complied with the requirements established in the Terms and Conditions, demonstrating legal, technical, and financial solvency to manage the exploitation of the game.
What are the economic conditions of the contract
The two awarded parties adjusted their offers to the minimum fee established in the tender: 19% of the monthly gross collection, with a guaranteed floor of 9.5 billion guaraníes. This economic base reflects the scale of the business and the interest generated by the process among different business groups in the sector.
Why this process is a milestone for the sector
The award is not an isolated event: it is a direct consequence of Law No. 7438, promulgated in January 2026, which eliminated the monopoly regime that historically governed both the quiniela and sports betting in Paraguay. Under this regulation, the State can license more than one operator simultaneously, opening the door to competition in a market that until now had been concentrated in a single concessionaire.
Read more Netherlands: MPs question third-party licenses in the online gambling market
The legal change responds to a regional trend of modernization and opening of regulatory frameworks in gambling matters, with a focus on transparency, increased tax collection, and control of illegal gambling.
What the generated resources are used for
Conajzar emphasized in its statement that the bidding process was carried out under the principles of legality, transparency, equality, and free competition. Furthermore, it recalled that funds from gambling are allocated to finance public health, education, and social welfare programs aimed at vulnerable sectors of the population.
A market of over $120 million a year in dispute
The interest in obtaining one of the concessions is no coincidence. The quiniela is, historically, one of the games with the highest popular penetration in Paraguay, with an estimated annual turnover of over $120 million.
The incorporation of a second operator introduces a new competitive scenario that could impact both operational efficiency and state revenue.
With this new scheme, Paraguay leaves behind a concentrated model and moves towards a more open structure, in line with the evolution of the sector in the region.
Read more Chile: Supreme Court orders blocking of alternative accesses to illegal platforms
