Key Moments:
- The National Commission of Games of Chance, together with APOJA and CPJA, has launched a comprehensive training plan focusing on recent gambling law reforms.
- On October 15, representatives from 27 municipalities attended the inaugural session introducing the new regulatory framework and training objectives.
- The program is scheduled for implementation during 2025–2026 and will involve on-site and remote training across multiple regions.
Initiative Targets Local Authorities and Law Reform Implementation
A collaborative effort led by the National Commission of Games of Chance (Conajzar), in partnership with the Paraguayan Association of Games of Chance (APOJA) and Paraguayan Chamber of Games of Chance (CPJA), has introduced a National Municipal and Sectoral Training Plan. This project focuses on enhancing municipal oversight and ensuring adherence to Paraguay’s newly reformed gambling laws.
The initiative aspires to harmonize local ordinances and administrative practices with federal regulations. By doing so, it aims to build a more professional, transparent, and accountable gambling industry.
Municipal Leaders Engage in Launch Event
On October 15, mayors and municipal officials from 27 towns took part in an opening training session hosted at the Paraguayan Organization for Intermunicipal Cooperation (Opaci). This event marked the official start of the training plan and gave participants an overview of the legal reforms and key training objectives.
Tackling Illegality and Encouraging Responsible Gaming Practices
One of the training plan’s primary priorities is combating illegal gambling and prohibiting money laundering within the sector. Municipalities will receive tailored tools and guidelines to improve their licensing processes, prevent approval of unauthorized gaming venues, and ensure law enforcement actions are effective.
The curriculum is also oriented toward promoting responsible gaming, with particular emphasis on online gambling and the prevention of problem gambling. Modules cover the social and mental health impacts associated with gambling and strategies to foster a safe and transparent gaming environment.
Program Rollout and Structure
The training initiative is set to run throughout 2025–2026, employing a hybrid format of on-site and remote sessions. The program targets a diverse group of stakeholders, including mayors, legal advisers, fiscal officials, inspectors, and gaming industry operators.
| Axis | Focus Area |
|---|---|
| Axis 1 | Alignment Regulation: Adapting municipal rules to comply with new gambling legislation. |
| Axis 2 | Illegal Gambling Fight: Identifying and eliminating unauthorized gambling activities. |
| Axis 3 | Responsible Gaming and Anti-Gambling Addiction Protection: Implementing best practices to reduce harm and uphold industry standards. |
Workshops will be short and practical, organized by region, and follow a three-part modular format aligned with these axes.
Long-Term Goals and Sector Transformation
The overarching goal of the initiative is to foster a transparent, sustainable gambling system throughout Paraguay. Anticipated outcomes include:
- Improved capacity for municipalities to regulate and enforce gambling laws
- Strengthened collaboration between public and private sectors
- Greater compliance by gaming operators through training and regulation
- Reduction in illegal and informal gambling activities
- Industry-wide adoption of responsible gaming practices
The collaboration between regulatory authorities, industry bodies, and municipalities is intended to create a new paradigm for Paraguay’s gaming industry, prioritizing social responsibility and public trust.
This program is positioned as a major step forward in national gambling policy, not only aligning Paraguay with international standards but also centering community well-being and prevention efforts through robust institutional capacity-building.
- Author
Daniel Williams
