Legislation
Paraguay – Lawmaker urges enactment of slot bill
By James - 17 April 2023
Deputy Ángel Paniagua has recommended the approval of a draft declaration that would force the gambling board (Conajzar) and municipal governments to adhere to a gambling law that was passed a year ago.
In June 2022 President Mario Abdo Benítez enacted a new that prohibited slot machines outside of slot parlours and casinos. The draft of Paniagua’s bill “urges the gambling board and all the municipalities of the country to immediately comply with the provisions contained in Law No. 6.903/21 – which establishes protection measures for minors against the influence of slot machines”.
Deputy Paniagua indicated that the objective of the bill was to protect children and adolescents from the risks that may arise from slot machines that operate outside of casinos. The lawmaker added that slots in shops and small businesses were still widespread.
His comments came after the Municipal Board of the city of Ayolas announced that it intended to act against the increase of underage players gambling via street slots.
Back in September 2022 Deputy José Rodríguez also demanded that Conajzar move forward with the regulation of the slot sector in Paraguay.
The President’s bill bans slots outside slots of specially legalised gambling zones such as casinos and slot parlours. It should have a major impact on how slots are regulated and ended the agreement between Conajzar and slot operator iCrop.
