Paraguay Casino Guide
Getting Started
Paraguay is a country that might surprise you. While a good number of South American countries rely on a patchwork of laws to regulate gambling, Paraguay’s setup is quite straightforward to understand. However, if you aren’t familiar with what the legality of gambling, and online gambling for that matter, is in the country, we’re happy to help.
Join us as we explore what the online gambling laws mean for the 7.3 million Paraguayans out there and as we discuss the ins and outs of betting at Paraguayan online casinos. Let’s begin by looking at the law.
Paraguay’s Gambling Laws and Regulations
Paraguay was fairly early out of the gates when it came to gambling law. The country first legalised online gambling back in 1943. However, it is 1997’s Law No. 1016, which currently governs land-based betting in the South American country. Before 1997, gambling was virtually unregulated, almost fifty years after the first casino opened in the country. Illegal slot halls aplenty saw the introduction of Law No. 1016, and further crackdowns in 2015 ensured that only legal, licensed, and safe establishments could offer gambling services to Paraguayans.
Online gambling was largely unregulated until 2015. Over time, various online gambling games have become legal. The Decreto Conajzar 7307, passed in 2017, effectively made almost all forms of online betting legal. The final piece of the puzzle was sports betting, which was formally legalised the following year.
Even back in the days of little to no regulation, Paraguayans were not punished for visiting offshore casinos. Many of them chose to do this. However, with the surplus of online casinos that you can choose to play at (and unlike fellow countries, they aren’t all run by state monopolies), Paraguayans now have a wealth of homegrown casino betting sites to choose from.
Who Regulates and Licenses Paraguayan Casino Sites?
The Comisión Nacional de Juegos de Azar, otherwise known as the National Commission of Games of Chance, is effectively the top dog here. They administer licenses and check that licensed casinos are adhering to the regulations set forth in the online gambling bills. Any casino wishing to obtain a license must have at least $50 to $70 million, of which $3 million must be invested seriously, and they must be attached to a hotel in the country. The requirements for online casinos are, naturally, much more relaxed (they still need to have a land-based license), although they must adhere to strict rules regarding fair play. The state lottery has its own licensing system.
Paraguay is something of a luxurious country to reside in if you want to gamble. There are plenty of homegrown options for Paraguayans to choose from. Even so, some players do still choose to play at offshore casinos. While there isn’t really a reason to do this, some choose to do so because the array of games they can play differs from those found in local casinos. Paraguay doesn’t prosecute its residents and nationals for choosing to play at offshore foreign casino sites, so the door is left wide open for them.
Paraguay’s Most Popular Gambling Games
It has taken many years, with Paraguay choosing a piecemeal approach to legalising online gambling. However, virtually all forms of gambling options are now legal in the country, including online gambling. Cryptocurrency betting is still unregulated, though. Paraguayans like to bet on sports, especially football. The country is also home to a keen number of slot players. Games of chance tend to be more popular than games of skill in the South American country.
What Paraguay is not home to is an array of casino software providers. The nation doesn’t really support software developers. However, its licensed and regulated online casinos do host games from other major providers. It is not uncommon to see games from the likes of NetEnt, Play ‘n Go, Pragmatic Play, and Evolution Gaming present at Paraguayan online casinos. Of course, if you play at offshore sites, the array of developers you can choose from will be magnified.
Who Can Play?
Paraguayan players are free to choose between online casinos licensed in their country and those licensed elsewhere. We aren’t going to recommend that you play at offshore casinos because there are plenty of legal Paraguayan-licensed casinos for you to choose from. However, the option is certainly there if you want to take it up.
Casinos licensed in Paraguay offer gameplay in Spanish and accept the Guarani currency. Moreover, customer support will also be available in Spanish, and all the rules and regulations adhere to the country’s gambling laws. You aren’t guaranteed to get these things at offshore casinos catering to players in the country. On those sites, the US dollar and English language gameplay seem to dominate, although it is not impossible to find Spanish language games from time to time.
Online Casino Payment Options
Credit / Debit Cards:
- Visa: Visa is one of the most widely accepted credit and debit card options globally, including Paraguay. Many online casinos accept Visa cards for deposits and withdrawals.
- Mastercard: Another widely accepted credit and debit card option, Mastercard is also a popular choice for online casino transactions in Paraguay.
E-wallets:
- Neteller: Neteller is a secure e-wallet option that enables players to deposit and withdraw funds to and from online casinos. It is a popular choice in Paraguay due to its ease of use and quick transactions.
- Skrill: Skrill, formerly known as Moneybookers, is another popular e-wallet option for Paraguayan players. It offers secure transactions, quick processing times, and the ability to transact in multiple currencies.
- ecoPayz: ecoPayz is an e-wallet that offers safe and fast transactions for online casino players in Paraguay. With an ecoPayz account, users can deposit and withdraw funds from their online casino accounts seamlessly.
Prepaid Cards / Vouchers:
- Paysafecard: Paysafecard is a widely-used prepaid voucher option that allows players to fund their online casino accounts without sharing their personal banking information. It is available in Paraguay and can be purchased at various retail outlets.
Bank Transfers:
- Local Bank Transfers: Some online casinos in Paraguay may allow players to transfer funds directly from their local bank accounts to their casino accounts. Processing times and fees may vary depending on the specific bank and casino.
Cryptocurrencies:
- Bitcoin: As the most popular and widely-accepted cryptocurrency, Bitcoin is often supported by online casinos catering to Paraguayan players. It offers fast, secure, and low-fee transactions.
- Ethereum: Ethereum is another popular cryptocurrency that is sometimes accepted by online casinos in Paraguay. It provides similar benefits to Bitcoin, including quick transaction times and low fees.
- Litecoin: Litecoin is yet another cryptocurrency option available for online casino players in Paraguay. It offers quick transactions, low fees, and increased privacy compared to traditional payment methods.
New Online Casinos Paraguay 2024
F.A.Q's
1. Is online gambling legal in Paraguay?
Online gambling is not explicitly regulated in Paraguay, but there are no laws specifically prohibiting it. Players from Paraguay can access and play at international online casinos without facing legal consequences. To ensure a safe gaming experience, it’s important to choose a reputable online casino that is licensed and regulated in a trustworthy jurisdiction. For more information on licensing and regulation, visit our Licensing and Regulation section.
2. What types of online gambling are popular in Paraguay?
In Paraguay, players enjoy a variety of online gambling activities, including online casino games, sports betting, and poker. Some of the most popular casino games include slots, roulette, blackjack, and baccarat.
3. Can I use local currency (Guaraní) at online casinos?
While it’s uncommon for online casinos to accept Paraguayan Guaraní directly, many casinos do support a range of currencies and offer currency conversion services. Players can choose from various payment methods to deposit and withdraw funds in their preferred currency, such as USD or EUR.
4. Are there any country-specific bonuses for Paraguayan players?
Online casinos often offer country-specific bonuses to attract players from different regions. While not all casinos may have exclusive bonuses for Paraguayan players, they can still take advantage of bonuses and promotions available to all players, such as welcome bonuses, free spins, and cashback offers.
5. How can I ensure that an online casino is safe and secure?
To ensure a safe and secure gaming experience, Paraguayan players should look for online casinos that are licensed and regulated by reputable authorities, such as the Malta Gaming Authority or the UK Gambling Commission. Additionally, players should ensure that the casino employs robust security measures, such as SSL encryption, to protect their personal and financial information.
6. Do online casinos offer customer support in Spanish?
Yes, many online casinos cater to Spanish-speaking players and provide customer support in Spanish. It’s essential for Paraguayan players to choose a casino that offers support in their preferred language to ensure smooth communication and a better gaming experience.
7. Can I play live dealer games at online casinos in Paraguay?
Yes, Paraguayan players can enjoy live dealer games at online casinos. Live dealer games provide an immersive, real-time gaming experience by connecting players to professional dealers via video streaming. Popular live dealer games include live roulette, live blackjack, and live baccarat.
8. Are there any responsible gambling resources for Paraguayan players?
Responsible gambling is crucial for all players, including those in Paraguay. While there may not be local resources specific to Paraguay, players can still access international resources and tools to promote responsible gambling principles. These resources may include self-exclusion tools, deposit limits, and helpful advice to prevent problem gambling.
9. Can I use cryptocurrencies for online gambling in Paraguay?
Yes, many online casinos accept cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Litecoin as a means of deposit and withdrawal. Cryptocurrencies offer a secure and anonymous way to transfer funds online. For more information about cryptocurrencies and their use in online gambling, visit our Cryptocurrency and Blockchain guide.
10. What should I consider when choosing an online casino in Paraguay?
When choosing an online casino, Paraguayan players should consider factors such as licensing and regulation, game selection, bonuses and promotions, payment methods, and customer support. Additionally, players should read reviews and gather information from reputable sources to make an informed decision.