Paraguay's Cartes submits casino legislation to Congress

The Legal Consultant's Office of Paraguay's government confirmed the administration of President Horacio Cartes has submitted a bill to Congress that aims to grow the nation’s casino industry while implementing better regulations and controls.

“(The project) is framed within the need to have a special law contemplating elements that contribute to the development and order of the sector,” a statement by the Legal Consultant's Office said, adding that the “vision” of the new legislation would be focused “on a stricter state control” with the “exploitation of the games of chance” under government control, either by itself or via concession with a third party. The statememnt also highlights the “significance of private investment” to boost "tourism and entertainment spots."

The new legislation demands an autonomous Conajzar regulator.

“The control of gambling operators and their protection; the persecution of illegal games; the fullfilment of tender processes; the issuing of reports before the Executive Power, both chambers of the National Congress, the Judicial Power, the Attorney's General Office as well as the application of technology; the development of new ways of games and money-laundering prevention mechanisms cannot be demnaded to a government body that lacks the necessary resources for that because the Conajzar regulator does not rely on a proper budget of its own neither it has enough human resources for such institutional development,” the statement reads.