Paraguay Ends Quiniela Monopoly as Two Contenders Advance to Final Stage

(AsiaGameHub) –   The tender process for Paraguay‘s quiniela lottery has reached its concluding stage, with two domestic entities, Technologies Development of Paraguay (TDP) SA and the Daruma Sam Alliance, now confirmed as the final bidders for the franchise.

Initiated in November 2025, this tender is a component of President Santiago Peña‘s wider plan to privatize businesses formerly controlled by the state, starting with gambling concessions historically run by state and municipal bodies.

In late March, the Forte Capital Consortium—comprising Gambling SA, Talismán SA, and B-Gaming Vimérica SA—withdrew from the process, leaving TDP and Daruma Sam as the two remaining competitors.

The National Gambling Commission, Conajzar, is supervising the proceedings. Its Interdisciplinary Review Committee (CRI) is responsible for evaluating the submissions within a 10-day period before the final decision.

This tender represents a major regulatory change for Paraguay’s gambling industry. The government has ended the long-standing monopoly, implementing a new system that permits up to three operators to receive quiniela licenses, indicating a shift to a more competitive market.

Both bidders presented financial offers meeting the minimum criteria outlined in the tender specifications (PBC), proposing a 19% fee on monthly gross revenues. Conajzar has also set a minimum guaranteed payment of PYG 9.5 billion for the winning applicants.

Daruma Sam already operates in Paraguay, running Aposta.LA betting shops in the Gran Asunción area.

Review phase begins

After the bids were opened, the CRI began a quantitative and technical review of all submitted documents, as mandated by Resolution No. 28/2026 from 5 February.

The committee is anticipated to provide its assessment report within 10 days. A subsequent five working days will then be needed to officially confirm the chosen operators. The successful bidders will secure the right to operate the quiniela for a five-year period.

Carlos Liseras, President of Conajzar, noted the process is now in a crucial verification phase: “A detailed control process has begun to ensure all technical and regulatory requirements are fully met.”

The potential rewards are substantial, with the Paraguayan quiniela market estimated by the industry to generate over $120 million in annual turnover.

This tender holds considerable political importance as the initial trial of President Santiago Peña’s pledge to reform state-supported monopolies.

The accompanying legislative proposal involves re-examining gambling privileges given to municipal authorities, pointing to a more extensive restructuring of traditional market frameworks.

Once the quiniela tender concludes in 2026, Peña is anticipated to undertake a comprehensive revision of Paraguay’s gambling legislation, establishing this reform as a key element of his broader economic strategy.