The Paraguayan Association of Gambling Operators (APOJA) announced that on Monday, August 22, they will hold a public hearing in the Chamber of Deputies to discuss a bill aimed at modifying Law No. 1,016/1997 in an attempt to eliminate the monopoly on the concession of gambling activities.
To coordinate details of the hearing, a meeting was held on Tuesday, August 13, with members of the lower house in attendance. Representing the private sector were Lorena Rojas, president of APOJA; Javier Balbuena, advisor to APOJA; and Aníbal Salomón, president of the Paraguayan Chamber of Gambling (CPJA).
Participants also included the president of the Chamber of Deputies, Raúl La Torre; the author of the bill, Adrián “Billy” Vaesken; and deputy Yamil Esgaib. Felipe González represented the National Union of Workers Sellers of Lotteries, Bingos, Gambling and Related Activities of Paraguay (Sintraquiba).
Lawmakers headed by Deputy Billy Vaesken have put forward a number of modifications that would end the way the law allows for monopolies in certain sectors of the gaming industry in the country.
The hearing is an initiative of the private sector. The aim is for speakers to share their experiences and for legislators to consider opening up the gambling sector. Lorena Rojas expressed the intent to remove the monopoly on sports betting and lotteries, with efforts being made to modify the law accordingly.
Additionally, the APOJA is working with Sintraquiba to promote the end of the monopoly allowing for more companies to participate in the industry.
Lawmakers specifically want to make changes to Paraguay’s gambling law (Law No. 1016/1997) in order to eliminate the current monopoly of licences for quiniela and sports betting. At the same time The National Competition Commission (Conacom) has also taken aim at the country’s gambling laws. It too has recommended that the government review Paraguay’s gambling law because it allows for licence holders to hold a monopoly over instants, pools, sports betting and casinos.
