Operator News

Paraguay – New law on slots goes into effect in Paraguay 

The president of Paraguay Santiago Peña has signed a decree which prohibits slot machines in locations not dedicated exclusively to gambling. From now on slots will not be permitted in bars, grocery stores, bars, bakeries as well as other establishments. The main objective of the bill is to prevent minors from gambling and eradicate gambling from the streets.

In April 2022 President Mario Abdo Benítez enacted the law after the measure had been approved in the Senate at the end of March. 

Although it had already been passed certain aspects of the law were missing. The president’s decree means that the law is now in force and the respective controls can now be carried out by the municipal governments and the National Gaming Commission (Conajzar). Slots found to be operating outside non gambling designated zones will be destroyed.

The objective of the Law No. 6.903/21 is to protect children and adolescents from the risks that may arise from slot machines that operate outside of casinos as slots in shops and small businesses are widespread in Paraguay. It also establishes rules covering the monitoring and control of slot machines in order to prevent money laundering.

The news was welcomed by Lorena Rojas the President of The Association of Gaming Operators (APOJA) who argued that due to the high proliferation of slots in plain view it had become “become normal for a child to be playing on an electronic slot machine in a store.” 

Lorenas went on to say that: “We celebrate the decision of the president of Conajzar to carry out this regulation, we have had a public hearing in Conajzar with businessmen and we value that the private sector is heard.”

Rojas demanded that controls be initiated so that the provisions are complied with and that slots are eliminated from these commercial establishments.  She also asked for a “strong hand” from the president of Conajzar Carlos Liseras.