The Spanish multinational CIRSA, controlled by the investment fund Blackstone, has acquired a majority stake in Slots del Sol, the leading operator of online and land-based casinos in Paraguay. The announcement, made last week, marks the group's entry into the Paraguayan market, which becomes the 11th country of operation for the company.
According to the company, the strategic decision was based on the country's solid macroeconomic stability and the existence of a regulatory framework for the gaming sector considered mature, predictable, and transparent, overseen by the National Gaming Commission (CONAJZAR). The operation was fully financed by CIRSA's available cash flow.
The adopted business model involves integrating the Slots del Sol digital platform with its physical infrastructure, which includes two traditional casinos and two gaming rooms located in Asunción and Ciudad del Este. As part of the agreement, the local founding partners will remain in the business's management, combining CIRSA's global scale with the knowledge of the Paraguayan market accumulated over more than two decades.
The arrival of the international giant is seen as a seal of approval for the financial community and a boost for the modernization of the local sector, with expectations of raising standards in cybersecurity, responsible gaming policies, and anti-money laundering prevention.