The year 2025 will mark a turning point in the history of gambling regulation in Paraguay. With the entry into force of the new law replacing the previous regime established by Law No. 1016/97, the country takes a momentous turn toward the demonopolization of gambling, allowing activities such as lotteries, lotteries, and sports betting to be awarded to up to three operating companies for each type of game.

This legislative change represents not only a modification of the legal framework, but also a profound restructuring of the gambling business model, the role of the State as regulator, and the economic balance that has historically supported this industry in the country. For decades, the National Gambling Commission (CONAJZAR) operated under an exclusive concession paradigm, which facilitated oversight but at the same time concentrated the market and its profits in the hands of a single operator for each type of game. 

From Monopoly to Regulated Competition
By allowing up to three companies to operate the same type of game, the new regulations introduce a dynamic of controlled competition that seeks to benefit consumers through better services, greater technological innovation, and, potentially, higher revenue for the State. However, this opening also imposes highly complex technical and regulatory requirements.

One of the main challenges facing CONAJZAR will be drafting the bidding terms and conditions (BTC) that will govern future calls for bids. It is no longer simply a matter of choosing the best proposal from among several to award an exclusive contract, but rather establishing technical, economic, and operational criteria that guarantee the sustainability of a shared market, where multiple operators compete under clear and fair rules.

The Dilemma of the Distribution of Economic Burdens
The most critical question in this process of demonopolization revolves around the distribution of economic burdens. Until now, the financial structure of the concession contract was based on a single operator, which assumed the costs of the fee, technological infrastructure, sales network, and promotion. With three operators sharing the same market segment, the regulator must define how these burdens will be distributed without discouraging investment or compromising service quality.

How will fees be calculated if revenues are now divided among multiple players? Who will assume responsibility for maintaining and expanding the network of physical points of sale, especially in low-profitability areas? How will effective and transparent oversight of multiple gaming platforms be guaranteed? These are questions that still lack definitive answers, and whose resolution must emerge from serious technical work, open to dialogue with all stakeholders.

Implications for the market and the State
From a macroeconomic perspective, market liberalization can stimulate private investment, foster competition, and diversify the legal entertainment offering. It also opens a window of opportunity for greater formalization of gambling, with a potential increase in tax revenue and social contributions from the industry.

However, international experience shows that unplanned opening can lead to price wars, deteriorating service quality, tax evasion, and, in the worst cases, the collapse of operators who fail to sustain their business model in a more competitive environment.
Therefore, the transition to this new model must be guided by a robust regulatory strategy based on the principles of transparency, economic sustainability, social responsibility, and consumer protection.

Conclusion
The paradigm shift in the regulation of gambling in Paraguay is not simply a regulatory adjustment, but a structural redesign that can redefine the relationship between the State, the market, and society in this sector. CONAJZAR today has a historic responsibility: to lead this process with technical vision, institutional integrity, and commitment to the public interest.
As a country, we have the opportunity to build a modern, competitive, and transparent gaming model that combines economic efficiency with social responsibility.

*Javier Balbuena is now the Director of Gaming Consultores and former president of CONAJZAR (National Games of Chance Commission from Paraguay).