Paraguay is a country in South America with an estimated population of around 7.300.000 million. It is the birthplace of football legends Roque Santa Cruz and José Luis Chilavert. As regards gambling, Paraguay opened its first casino in 1943. A key attraction was the Hipódromo de Asunción which was built in 1954.
In 1997, the National Committee of Games of Chance (CONAJZAR) came into power in order to oversee all gambling activities. Nowadays, online betting is unregulated. International sportsbooks in Paraguay do not hold a local license. However, there is no law to prevent players from accessing their websites in order to place their bets.
Best Paraguayian Betting Sites
Here you will check the best sportsbooks in Paraguay. They offer lots of betting selections on the Paraguayan Primera División as well as very high odds and many handy features.
Gambling in Paraguay - 5 Things to Know
- 1 The legal age for gambling in Paraguay is 18 years
- 2 Currently, there are no licensed online bookmakers in the country
- 3 Operating an illegal online bookie is an act of money laundering
- 4 Licenses for online sportsbooks will possibly come in 2023
- 5 Winnings up to $75 are not taxed, after this amount 8% tax is levied
General info
⏩Population: 7.300.000
⏩Active players: 600.000
⏩Currency: Paraguayan guaraní (PYG)
⏩Regulated gambling products: Sports betting, casino games, lottery, horse racing
⏩Designated authority: National Committee Of Games Of Chance
⏩Operator types: Unlicensed online bookmakers & casinos, land-based betting shops and casinos
⏩Status: Semi-regulated
Online Gambling in Paraguay: Is It Legal?
Gambling laws in Paraguay have been in place since 1997 with the establishment of Law No.1016. The regulatory authority which is in charge is the National Committee Of Games Of Chance, known as CONAJZAR. The current legislation does not cover online gambling. Thus, there is no Paraguayan gambling license for online operators. However, there are lots of local betting shops that operate legally. It is worth noting, though, that the government plans to regulate the online environment in the near future.
Essential Information for Paraguayan Bettors
There are no licensed online betting sites in Paraguay. Thus, locals are technically obliged to gamble only on land-based betting shops. Nevertheless, no legal action has been taken against those who choose to place their wagers on non-licensed online international bookies. As regards betting winnings, they are not taxed up to $75; however, after this amount, an 8% tax is levied.
Available Deposit Methods
Local bettors are familiar with debit and credit cards. Nonetheless, those who opt for international betting sites in Paraguay prefer e-wallets, such as Skrill and Neteller. They know that safety comes first; so they make sure to avoid methods, like cards or bank wire, that will disclose their personal details. In this case, we consider local bookmakers, all the operators that offer country-specific deposit methods, as well as localised content and services.
The Future of Online Betting in Paraguay
As the land-based betting industry is booming, the need for regulation of the online one is growing. This is due to the fact that a growing number of bettors opt for international gambling sites in Paraguay; instead of placing their bets on the local land-based bookies. The law in place is dating back to 1997 and an adjustment to the current development in the gambling landscape is a must.
Gambling in Neighbouring Countries
It is crucial to learn about the gambling rules in nearby countries if you are considering a visit. Even though they are close to Paraguay, they each have very different laws for gambling. This can help you understand the situation better and make smart choices while following local rules:
⏩ Brazil: is the largest country in the region and is known for sports, festivals, and beaches. If you want to place a bet while taking advantage of what the country has to offer, remember that most casinos and bookies are operating in the grey. Brazil betting sites take the lion's share of the $1bln market as there are no consequences for players who choose unlicensed international bookmakers.
⏩ Argentina: is second only to Brazil in its love for sports in South America, and currently, they are the football world champions. Bettors face a complex, yet relaxed situation, with gambling on its way to being fully legalized across the country and online. For the moment, from the list of Argentina betting sites, you can choose between local and international, as well as licensed and unlicensed bookies.
⏩ Uruguay: This relatively smaller country on the East Coast between Brazil and Argentina is far from being the smallest gambling market, with $850mln in revenue. The country had a few operators that held a land-based license, while international websites were accessible if they held a license from a recognized authority. Uruguay betting sites are rich in choice and are all regulated.
Online gambling in Paraguay is unregulated. International bookmakers like Bet365 and Bwin are, however, accessible to Paraguayans; who prefer their high odds, payment safety and fast withdrawals.
A new gambling law in Paraguay regarding winnings has been in place since 2020. According to it, all gambling winnings exceeding $75 are taxed at an 8% rate.
Bet365 Paraguay is the world’s largest bookmaker that accepts local bettors. It offers a great variety of betting markets and promotions on a daily basis, along with high odds and 15+ payments.
Bwin Paraguay is a leading international bookie that accepts bettors from all over the country. It offers a wide range of markets and high odds, as well as great promotions and more than 20 deposit methods.
1xBet Paraguay offers its services without any legal issues to players residing in the country, despite not holding a local license. It is one of the top international bookies that operate in the region, providing very competitive odds and various betting options.