Gambling and Casinos in Peru

Casinos and online games in Peru

Peru has become one of the leading countries in Latin America to regulate the online gambling industry, providing a clear legal framework for casinos and online games. The introduction of Law No. 31557, effective as of February 9, 2024, marked a significant milestone, enabling the operation of online casinos and sports betting platforms under strict oversight. The Ministry of Foreign Trade and Tourism (MINCETUR) oversees licensing, compliance, and the technical requirements for platforms, ensuring they meet stringent standards for security, transparency, and responsible gaming.

Only licensed operators are permitted to offer services within Peru, with platforms accessible exclusively in jurisdictions where they hold valid licenses. Furthermore, the industry contributes to Peru's economy through tax revenues, which are reinvested into public welfare initiatives, including health and education programs. This comprehensive regulatory approach not only ensures the protection of players but also fosters a sustainable, well-regulated market for online gaming and casino operators.

Some of the legal online casinos in Peru include Bet365 (bet365.pe), Betano (betano.pe), Retabet (retabet.pe), Coolbet (coolbet.pe), Te Apuesto (teapuesto.pe), and Betsson (betsson.pe). These platforms, along with others like Jugabet, Betsafe, and Casino Atlantic City, operate in compliance with Law No. 31557, ensuring secure gaming experiences for users in regions where they are licensed. This regulated approach fosters trust and contributes to Peru's growing online gaming market.

Live dealer casinos in Peru

Live dealer casinos in Peru offer an immersive and interactive online gaming experience by allowing players to participate in real-time games hosted by professional dealers. These platforms use high-definition streaming technology to replicate the atmosphere of a physical casino, providing games such as live blackjack, roulette, baccarat, and poker.

In Peru, live dealer casinos must comply with the legal framework established by Law No. 31557, which includes obtaining a valid license from MINCETUR, operating under a national entity, and using a .pe domain. Licensed platforms such as Betsson.pe, Betsafe.pe, and Betano.pe often feature live dealer options, ensuring a secure and regulated environment for players. This approach combines the convenience of online gaming with the authenticity of a traditional casino experience, attracting a growing number of players in the Peruvian market.

Bitcoin Casinos in Peru

While cryptocurrency transactions are not explicitly regulated within this framework, licensed casinos may accept Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies as payment options if they comply with anti-money laundering (AML) and responsible gaming policies. Currently, players interested in using Bitcoin for online gambling in Peru should ensure they are engaging with licensed operators under a .pe domain, such as Bet365.pe or Betsafe.pe, which may offer cryptocurrency payment options as part of their services.

It is crucial for players to verify that the casino operates legally and provides transparency in all transactions to ensure a safe gaming experience. Some operators allow you to bet directly in cryptocurrencies and others offer the possibility of exchanging them in wallets such as Neteller.

Physical casinos and slots in Peru

More than 500 casino rooms between large and small venues are available in Peru. All gaming establishments have poker, different slot machines, roulette, blackjack, baccarat, keno or bingo. In the capital, Lima, you will find the largest number of places, especially in the famous and tourist district of Miraflores, which has several casinos that are part of its charms.

All gaming venues are regulated by the Peruvian State, through the General Directorate of Casino Games and Slot Machines, a body dependent on the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Tourism.

Games from the world's leading developers, such as IGT, Bally, Aristocrat, EGT, Novomatic, Microgaming or NetEnt, are available at casinos in Peru. At ChoiceCasino we leave you the list of the best, but you can highlight casinos in Lima, such as Fiesta, Golden Palace, Atlantic City or Majestic, as well as others such as Villa Fortuna in Arequipa, Coliseum in Trujillo, Mystic Slot in Cusco or Casino Las Vegas in Chiclayo.

What games of chance do Peruvians prefer?

Raffles and lotteries are very popular among Peruvians, as is the case with Tinka, Gana Diario or Kabala, which also has a secondary game that is very popular in the country. For its part, sports betting, both locally and on the Internet, has a large number of fans in Peru.

90% of sports bets correspond to soccer, the most popular sport in the country and the number of Peruvians who participate in bets has been increasing considerably, reaching the figure of 5 million in 2021.

In addition, Peruvians are lovers of bingo, keno, blackjack, roulette or slot machines that are very popular in the country, both in land-based and in online casinos. Within which games like Prosperity Ox, White Rabbit Megaways, or 9 Masks of Fire stand out, just to give a few examples.

Contribution of games of chance to the economy of Peru

The games of chance industry has shown significant growth in Peru and that ends up in large contributions to the coffers of the State. In 2019, the year before the pandemic, the average gaming sale reached $1.6 billion.

According to a report from the General Directorate of Casino Games and Slot Machines of the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Tourism, 54% of this amount is related to the operation of casinos and slot machines, 22% to sports betting, 6% to the lottery, 5% to horse racing, while 13% is for illegal gambling.

Data from representatives of the gambling sector in Peru, indicate that the annual contribution is 400 million soles to the State. Of this amount, 310 million go to the provincial and district municipalities, in addition to the Peruvian Sports Institute (IPD) and the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Tourism. For its part, the remaining value corresponds to the Selective Consumption Tax (ISC). In short, from the industry they pay up to 5 different taxes to the Peruvian State, in the midst of a regulation that has been changing in recent years.

Taxes paid by casino players

In Peru there is a gaming tax, which applies to bingo, raffles, raffles or the like. Even in the law there is talk of video games and pinball. The tax rate is 10% of prizes on all games of chance. That discount is made by the company before giving the money to the winner. Likewise, Peruvians and residents must indicate their earnings in the annual income statement.

Self-exclusion and prevention of pathological gambling

Since 2012, Peru has Law 29907, for the prevention and treatment of gambling in casinos and slot machines. With this law, the creation of the registry of people prohibited from accessing establishments intended for the exploitation of casino games was carried out.

The registry includes players who register voluntarily and "those whose ability to judge is affected, which is determined by a Medical Board at the request of the family," says the law.

For voluntary registrations, the minimum period of stay is six months, which are automatically renewable for the same period. The development of a Biennial National Program for the Prevention and Rehabilitation of gambling addiction is also established in the law.

On the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Tourism, in the section on gambling, there is information on the inspection and control of slot machines, the law on gambling and its subsequent regulations.

In addition, you can download the format for voluntary registration in the registry, as well as registration at the request of the family.

In the case of online gambling, since 2024 it is totally legal and each operator offers the player the possibility of placing time or money limits on the game, as well as the option of momentary self-exclusion or definitive.

History of legal gambling in Peru

As in other South American countries, gambling has always generated controversy and controversy in Peru, between people who support it and others who reject it. After a long period outside the law, casino games were regulated in 1979, but it was in July 1990, when the State authorized the presence of slot machines, with the legalization of the installation in hotels.

In February 1991, the first arcade with slot machines was installed in Lima, while the following year, a new law was created, increasing taxes from 3% to 20%.

During those years, casinos began to be installed little by little, which gained great popularity and the industry grew in Peru. The regulatory laws of the games were changing in the country, since in 1999 a controversial law was approved in the parliament, which ended in a judicial process until 2006, when a reorganization of that regulation was carried out.

As of that year, and with the presence of the General Directorate of Casino Games and Slot Machines, another air was given to an industry, which came to experience moments of institutional disorder and tax evasion.

In 2009, new laws were enacted in Peru to prevent the financing of terrorism or money laundering in the gaming industry, while in 2011, a decree was passed that requires the external audit of all slot machines and games. gaming casinos.

Over the years, Peru expanded its gambling laws to include online gaming and sports betting. In 2022, the government passed Law No. 31557, officially legalizing and regulating online casinos and sports betting, which came into effect in 2024, further solidifying Peru's commitment to creating a safe and controlled gaming environment.

Characteristics of the gaming industry in Peru

The gaming industry is an activity that generates in Peru, more than 1,000 million dollars a year and directly has more than 70 thousand workers. In recent times there has been a growth and consolidation of physical casinos in the country, which are fully regulated and supervised by the General Directorate of Casino Games and Slot Machines. There are more than 550 gaming rooms in Peru and 20 casino rooms. Most of the establishments are located in Lima.

As of August 2024, Peru's Ministry of Foreign Trade and Tourism (MINCETUR) has granted a total of 120 licenses to 60 online gambling operators, effectively legalizing their operations within the country. VIXIO This development follows the enactment of Law No. 31557, which regulates online gaming and sports betting, and became effective on February 9, 2024. The licensing process ensures that only authorized operators can legally offer online casino services in Peru, providing a regulated and secure environment for players.

Industry representatives have indicated that a fully regulated market could generate more than 2,000 million dollars for the country, leaving revenues for the State of more than US$200 million annually, figures that speak of the growth and expansion that can occur in Peru.

An example of the importance and relevance of the gaming industry in Peru is that every year the international fair, Peru Gaming Show, is held with exhibits from the main companies in the sector.

In ChoiceCasino you will find the main legal casinos in Peru, both land-based and legal online casinos. To help other players choose the best casino, we ask you to comment on your own experience with some of the operators.

It is not the responsibility of ChoiceCasino, the service provided by legal casinos listed on the web, or any player reviews. Any problem, inconvenience or complaint about any of the gaming establishments must be directed to the General Directorate of Casino Games and Slot Machines. On the website of the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Tourism of Peru, you can get all the necessary information.