In the heart of South America, Paraguay is often overshadowed by larger neighbors like Brazil and Argentina when it comes to gambling regulation. Yet in recent years, Paraguay has quietly built a centralized, increasingly professional framework for both land-based and online betting activities.
Unlike many Latin American markets still wrestling with digital legislation, Paraguay has officially regulated online gambling since 2018, placing it among the more forward-looking jurisdictions in the region. But with only one licensed online operator and limited transparency, significant gaps remain between legal intent and practical enforcement.
This in-depth guide offers an expert overview of Paraguay’s gambling regulation, including legal structures, licensing authorities, offshore site risks, and emerging reforms, for both players and industry stakeholders.
Table of Contents
- Paraguay’s Betting Framework
- Are Offshore Betting Sites Legal in Paraguay?
- How to Verify Legal Betting Options in Paraguay
- Paraguay-Licensed vs. Offshore Platforms
- How to Bet Legally and Safely in Paraguay
Paraguay’s Betting Framework
Regulatory Authority: CONAJZAR
The core regulatory body overseeing gambling activities in Paraguay is La Comisión Nacional de Juegos de Azar (CONAJZAR), the National Gambling Commission. Established under Law No. 1016/97, CONAJZAR holds broad authority to:
- Issue licenses
- Monitor operator compliance
- Set technical and responsible gaming standards
- Collect revenue and taxes from legal gambling activity
The law defines games of chance broadly, encompassing lotteries, casinos, sports betting, bingo, and electronic gaming terminals. All must be authorized through CONAJZAR either directly or via designated local concessionaires.
Online Gambling: A Legal Monopoly
In 2018, CONAJZAR awarded the country’s only legal online sports betting license to Apostala, operated by local consortium Daruma Sam S.A. This exclusive concession allows Apostala to offer sports betting via its website and mobile apps under strict supervision.
No other private or foreign company is permitted to offer online betting to Paraguayan players, making Paraguay’s digital market a monopoly model similar to what existed in France or Portugal during the early 2010s.
“Paraguay has legalized online betting, but not liberalized it,” explains Dr. Elena Montiel, a gaming regulation researcher at Universidad Católica. “This distinction is crucial for understanding what is truly ‘legal’ in the market.”
Are Offshore Betting Sites Legal in Paraguay?
Despite Apostala’s exclusive rights, many international betting platforms continue to accept Paraguayan users. These include brands licensed in Curaçao, Gibraltar, Malta, and Anjouan.
However, under Law No. 1016, operating or offering unlicensed gambling services in Paraguay is illegal — and that extends to digital operations. The illegality is on the side of the operator, not the player, but users still face financial and data risks by using offshore platforms.
Risks of Using Unlicensed Betting Sites:
- No consumer protection under Paraguayan law
- No recourse for withdrawal disputes
- Possible payment blockage from local banks or cards
- Weak oversight on responsible gambling tools and fair play
In 2023, CONAJZAR requested that local ISPs block access to dozens of unauthorized platforms, although enforcement has been inconsistent. The government also cooperates with Paraguay’s Unidad de Inteligencia Financiera (UIF) to monitor money laundering via online betting.
“We remind players that Apostala is the only legal online betting site in Paraguay,” stated CONAJZAR in an official press release dated November 2024. “Operators not holding this license are not authorized and may expose users to criminal activities or fraud.”
Official source – CONAJZAR press releases
How to Verify Legal Betting Options in Paraguay
Players in Paraguay currently have two legal pathways for gambling:
- Land-based casinos and betting shops licensed or authorized by CONAJZAR
- Online sports betting via Apostala (www.apostala.com.py)
To confirm if a betting outlet is legal, players should check:
- License certificate displayed at land-based venues
- Apostala’s domain (the only state-recognized digital operator)
- Official CONAJZAR announcements and blacklists
At the time of writing, no other online casino or sportsbook holds a valid Paraguayan license, even if the site accepts Guarani, Spanish-language support, or local IPs.
Paraguay-Licensed vs. Offshore Platforms
Let’s compare the only licensed Paraguayan operator (Apostala) with unlicensed international platforms:
| Feature | Apostala (Paraguay Licensed) | Offshore Platforms |
|---|---|---|
| Legal status in Paraguay | Fully authorized | Unauthorized / illegal |
| Consumer protection | Regulated by CONAJZAR | Varies by jurisdiction |
| Payment security | Local options supported | Often blocked or delayed |
| Tax compliance | Yes | No |
| Fair play audits | Required by national law | Not verified |
| VPN access needed | No | Increasingly blocked |
Trends and Reforms: What’s Changing in 2025
Paraguay is currently reviewing its regulatory structure in light of growing demand for digital entertainment and regional reforms. While the exclusive model has provided control, it has also stifled competition and innovation.
Key developments expected in 2025–2026:
- Potential liberalization of the online betting market to allow new entrants under a multi-license model (under discussion in Congress).
- Expansion of legal gambling verticals, such as iCasino and virtual games, currently not permitted online.
- Anti-fraud and AML framework upgrades, in partnership with the Financial Action Task Force (GAFILAT).
- Mandatory responsible gaming tools, including deposit limits and national self-exclusion registers.
“The exclusivity model served its purpose, but Paraguay must evolve. Regional neighbors like Colombia and Peru have shown that open, regulated markets drive both safety and growth,” says Mario Benítez Ríos, a gaming law advisor in Asunción.
How to Bet Legally and Safely in Paraguay
If you’re in Paraguay and want to gamble without legal risk:
✅ Use only Apostala for online sports betting
✅ Verify land-based casinos or sports betting shops are licensed by CONAJZAR
✅ Avoid sites that claim to be “legal in Paraguay” unless confirmed by CONAJZAR
✅ Never send money to international platforms without clear legal protection
✅ Be aware that laws may change. Stay informed through official sources
Paraguay has one of the clearest legal positions on online betting in Latin America: it’s legal, but only through a single state-authorized platform. While this model offers regulatory control and tax revenue, it also limits player choice and innovation.
With increasing pressure from both consumers and regional trends, regulatory reform may not be far off. For now, Paraguayan players should stay within the boundaries of the law, use verified platforms, and avoid the risks associated with unauthorized offshore sites.
Understanding the nuances of Paraguay’s betting regulations isn’t just a matter of compliance, it’s the key to safe, transparent, and fair gaming.
FAQs: Betting Legally in Paraguay
Yes, but only through Apostala, the exclusive online betting concessionaire licensed by CONAJZAR.
No. These sites are not authorized by CONAJZAR and are considered illegal under current law, even if players are rarely prosecuted.
Sports betting, fixed-odds markets, virtual sports, and lottery-style games. It does not currently offer online casino slots or live dealer games.
Not at the moment. CONAJZAR has issued only one exclusive concession. A market liberalization would require new legislation.
Yes. Apostala and land-based operators must deduct taxes on behalf of the state. Offshore platforms operate outside this framework and do not comply with tax laws.
Visit CONAJZAR’s website or contact them directly for a registry of licensed land-based venues and digital authorizations.
