Javier Balbuena has resigned from CONAJZAR

"I leave with a clear conscience after a job well done, and after setting a strong basis for the industry to take it from here," expressed Javier Balbuena, former President of the Commission for Gambling of Paraguay (CONAJZAR), via his Facebook account.

His decision was made public three weeks after the General Comptroller of the Republic (CGR) suggested reformulations on the criticised sports betting bidding process won by Daruma Sam in December 2017.

And it was precisely the Comptroller's words that set the tone for Balbuena's meeting with the President of Paraguay, Horacio Cartes, on February 8th. "If the sports betting tender system does not work out, the impact produced on the revenue will be catastrophic", he declared at the time, in an interview with Yogonet.

Another setback was the annulment of the resolution authorising the relocation of the National Sailing and Ports Commission headquarters to Ciudad del Este, which thwarted plans to build a resort in the bordering city.

In an interview to Radio Ñanduti, the former official clarified that his resignation was based on personal affairs, and due to his need to delve into the private sector, not due to his desire to step away from the irregularities allegations. Furthermore, he added international organizations have already extended invitations to work with him.