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Read Full BioAlmost 700 sports betting firms have received permits allowing them to operate in Peru since December last year, the nation’s Ministry of Foreign Trade and Tourism has confirmed.
The media outlet Infobae reported that the ministry has vowed to turn the country into a regional leader in the regulated gambling sector.
It claims that its drive is helping promote responsible gaming via “a modern regulatory framework that seeks to protect consumers, ensure transparency, and foster formal economic development.”
Sports Betting: Peru to Increase Gambling Tax in July
The ministry said that its regulatory measures have also helped it shut down or block access to 15% of the country’s illegal sports betting-related websites.
In total, it has granted permits to 4,516 gambling operators nationwide since Lima approved licensed betting in February 2024. This number includes 683 permits granted in the past six months.
The newest approvals include 60 online platforms, as well as 280 gambling sector-related service providers.
The ministry pointed out that Peru has become one of the foremost countries in Latin America when it comes to establishing clear regulations for the gambling sector.
Colombia became the first Latin American country to legalize online gambling in 2016. Brazil, Mexico, and Argentina have also moved to institutionalize their betting sectors.
New Regulatory Powers
Since February 2024, Peru’s gaming regulator, the General Directorate of Casino Games and Slot Machines, has been given the power to conduct on-site inspections.
The regulator also has the power to close down unauthorized operators and force IP providers to block access to websites.
The regulator and the ministry also say that the number of people gambling on illegal websites and apps has dropped by 40% since 2024.
And they claim to be working with payment providers and banking firms to block accounts and transactions linked to unauthorized operators.
The ministry says that its drive is helping provide new investment opportunities in Peru.
The government has followed up with new tax laws for the sector. As of January 19, 2025, sports betting in Peru has been subject to a tax rate of 0.3%.
That rate will increase to 1% starting July 1, with the government claiming it will “progressively adjust the tax burden.”
Gambling Industry Growing Fast, Lima Claims
Lima claims that the sports betting sector has shown sustained growth. And this, it says, means that it can sustain higher rates of taxation in the future.
The ministry has rebuffed claims that it is promoting unhealthy habits, claiming that it has developed initiatives designed to promote responsible gaming.
These include educational resources on gambling addiction in educational institutions. The ministry has also begun offering training sessions for gambling-related companies.
It says that it is collaborating with gaming sector associations to help protect society’s most vulnerable groups.
This, it says, will help build a safe environment for customers and create awareness of the risks associated with gambling.
Overseas Firms Moving In
Major international players have taken advantage of the new law. These include the slots and table games operator Habanero, which received its permit late last year. Other firms moving into the nation include the likes of BGaming, Bet365, and Stake.
Elsewhere in the region, Argentinian courts have ordered IP providers to block residents’ access to over 330 illegal online gambling platforms since September 2024.
