Online sports betting is legal in Paraguay, but only through a state concession: to date a single operator (Apostala / Aposta.la, run by DARUMA SAM S.A.) holds the exclusive nationwide online sports-betting concession, valid until 2028. Most other sites you see advertised are offshore and not licensed locally. A 2025 reform (Law 7438/2025, with Decree 3846/2025) is opening the market to controlled competition, but crypto gambling remains outside any official framework.

Paraguay regulates gambling under Law 1016/1997, substantially reformed by Law 7438/2025 and Decree 3846/2025. The reform ends long-standing single-operator monopolies and creates a path for multiple licensed operators per game type (reported as up to three), awarded through public tenders. Online sports betting is a recognised, licensed activity; other verticals are being brought into the tender system over 2025-2026.

In practice: legal and regulated, but supply is limited. The only confirmed locally licensed online sports-betting brand to date is Apostala, awarded through a public tender via CONAJZAR Resolution 48/2022, with a concession valid until 2028.

Regulator and licensing

The Comisión Nacional de Juegos de Azar (CONAJZAR) is the national regulator. Since 2025 it operates as a decentralised body under the National Directorate of Tax Revenue (DNIT). CONAJZAR prepares game specifications, runs public tenders, distributes fiscal revenue, and enforces the rules. The reform strengthened its enforcement role, including a larger inspection corps and the power to have unlicensed online gambling sites blocked.

One consumer-facing feature of the reform is a dedicated .bet.py domain, reserved for licensed operators so players can more easily tell legal sites from illegal ones.

Licensed vs offshore

Licensed (e.g. Apostala)Offshore sites
Local authorisationYes (CONAJZAR/DNIT)No
Consumer protectionUnder Paraguayan lawNone locally
Payouts in guaraníesYesVaries
Risk of being blockedNoYes

Many globally known betting brands accept Paraguayan players from offshore. They are not licensed by CONAJZAR, so if a dispute arises you have no local recourse, and the site may be blocked.

Payment methods locals use

Paraguayans typically fund betting accounts with:

  • Bancard (the dominant local card/payment network)
  • Tigo Money and Billetera Personal (widely used mobile wallets)
  • Local bank transfers in guaraníes (PYG)
  • Visa/Mastercard and prepaid cards
  • Crypto (BTC, USDT) on offshore sites only

Licensed local platforms settle in guaraníes, which avoids currency-conversion friction.

Crypto gambling status

Crypto is not legal tender in Paraguay and is not recognised as a means of payment; it is treated as an asset rather than money. It is legal to hold and trade, and Paraguay has been a notable mining hub, but there is no official crypto-gambling regime. Since 2025, the DNIT requires platforms and residents to report larger digital-asset transactions (a threshold of roughly US$5,000), including wallet addresses and transaction hashes. Betting with crypto therefore means using unregulated offshore sites with no local protection.

Tax on winnings

There is no documented specific tax on individual player winnings in Paraguay’s tax framework. Companies pay Business Income Tax (IRE) at a flat 10% plus concession fees and canon set by game type. Because personal circumstances vary, confirm your own position with the DNIT or a local tax adviser rather than assuming winnings are tax-free.

Paraguay’s reform has boosted state revenue: CONAJZAR reported total gambling fee and licence revenue of about Gs. 215,940 million (around US$32.8 million) for 2025, up roughly 22.8% year on year.

Safer gambling

Under the new rules, licensed operators must show responsible-gambling messaging, offer control tools, and monitor for problematic play, and CONAJZAR has announced a dedicated department to combat gambling addiction (ludopatía) in coordination with the Ministry of Health. Use deposit and time limits, and seek professional support for ludopatía through local health services. You must be 18+ to gamble in Paraguay. If it stops being fun, stop. Bet only what you can afford to lose.

Sources