Paraguay: Betting bids continue, despite irregularities

A multibillion-dollar license for the exploitation of sports-betting is to be issued by Paraguay’s National Gaming Council of Paraguay (Conajzar), despite allegations of irregularities by one of the bidders, and despite the fact that the Comptroller General has recommended the process be suspended.

According to representatives YEM SA, which announced it will appeal to the Court of Accounts, the process seems rigged to benefit a ‘friendly’ firm. “There are vices that would nullify the bidding process and we, once the other instances are exhausted, are going to appeal to the Court of Accounts requesting the entire process be made null and void. There is an interest in monopolizing sports betting. There is a manifest interest in benefiting a particular bidder” said Julio Godoy, legal counsel for YEM SA.

Ten companies have been carrying out sports-related gambling operations under an ‘experimental’ program since 2014. With this process, this activity would be granted to one single firm, according to YEM’s lawyers.

Faced with suspicions that the tender may contain irregularities, the Comptroller General decided, on November 10, to do a documentary review of the entire process and recommended “the immediate suspension of the contracting process.”

In spite of the complaints and recommendation, CONAJZAR authorities proceeded with the opening of bidder’s envelopes last Wednesday, November 22nd.

Full Content: ABC News

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