Last week, local media outlet RDN quoted legal representatives of two betting firms, Montego SA and Enfield, which operate under the Crown and Aspotamina brands, respectively, relating how their premises were visited by agents of the National Police and Public Prosecutor, reportedly at Conajzar’s request.
Both firms were operating under a judicial order while their legal challenge of the constitutionality of Conajzar’s decision is before the courts. Montego SA’s lawyer Paola Villalba maintains that the raids were intended to discredit Daruma Sam’s rivals by instructing the public that their operations were illegal.
Paraguay’s process of awarding its betting monopoly to Daruma Sam was fraught with controversy, including allegations of political interference that ultimately convinced Conajzar’s former chief to resign before his term was up, leaving the signing of the Daruma Sam contract to his successor.
Paraguay is scheduled to undergo a change in political leadership in August, following a general election in April. The new leadership has already put the kibosh on a sketchy 10-year renewal of the licenses of several brick-and-mortar casino operators whose current licenses weren’t even scheduled to expire until 2025.
Source: GMB / Calvin Ayre
