Peru

Gambling License

How to Start a Gambling Company in Peru

If you're looking to establish a gambling business in Peru, the first step is to decide on your business model. Will you focus on sports betting, casino games, or a combination of both? Your choice must align with Peru's regulatory requirements.

Next, create a detailed business plan. This document should cover everything: your target audience, revenue forecasts, marketing strategies, and compliance measures. Regulators will review your plan, so it needs to show a deep understanding of Peru's laws and the local gambling market.

You will need to register a local company with SUNARP (Peru's public registry) and obtain tax identification numbers (RUC) from SUNAT, the national tax authority.

Your company must have a registered office in Peru and maintain accurate corporate records. Clearly define the ownership structure, management roles, and decision-making processes. This level of transparency is essential for both regulatory approval and ongoing compliance.

Once your business structure is set, shift your attention to financial planning. Ensure you have enough funds to cover licensing fees, operational costs, and the mandatory financial guarantee.

The financial guarantee must be secured through a recognised Peruvian bank or an approved surety insurance policy. This guarantee reassures regulators of your financial stability and protects players. Beyond this, allocate funds for technology development, hiring staff, and marketing efforts to build your brand in the market.

Furthermore, your gaming platform must meet the standards set by MINCETUR (Peru's Ministry of Foreign Trade and Tourism) and be certified by approved testing labs. The platform should also support real-time monitoring to meet regulatory requirements.

A critical aspect of your technology setup is integrating with local payment systems. Your platform must work seamlessly with Peruvian banks, PagoEfectivo, and approved e-wallet services. Custom development and rigorous testing will likely be needed to provide smooth transactions and a user-friendly experience.

At the final stage, you have to appoint a compliance officer who understands both Peruvian regulations and international best practices, and establish strong policies for anti-money laundering (AML), know-your-customer (KYC) procedures, and responsible gaming.

Overview of the Peru Online Gambling License

Peru is the third largest country in the region and one of its four key gambling hubs, along with Argentina, Brazil, and Colombia. Thanks to its free trade regime, privatization, and active foreign investment, the Peruvian economy is both stable and promising.

Peru's journey from an unregulated gambling landscape to a fully regulated iGaming market represents a significant step forward for Latin America. This shift has not only created fresh opportunities for operators but also prioritised consumer safeguards.

Before 2024, Peru's online gambling sector was largely unregulated. However, the introduction of Law No. 31557 changed the game entirely. This law established a robust framework covering all forms of digital gaming, including sports betting, casino games, and poker.

The Directorate General of Casino Games and Slot Machines (DGJCMT), operating under MINCETUR, is the main regulatory body overseeing Peru's gambling market. 

This centralised setup ensures clear communication and consistent enforcement. DGJCMT handles everything from initial licensing to ongoing compliance monitoring. 

By using real-time data feeds to track gaming activity, financial transactions, and player behaviour, the regulator ensures a high level of oversight. This structured regulatory approach has laid the groundwork for significant market advancements.

The legal clarity provided by Peru's new framework has made the country an attractive destination for international investors. It also encourages partnerships with local financial institutions, further boosting market confidence.

Consumer protection is a key focus of the new regulations. Operators are required to implement responsible gaming measures, including deposit limits, self-exclusion options, and reality checks. 

Players can also reach out to DGJCMT for dispute resolution. On top of this, strict anti-money laundering protocols ensure that operators verify player identities, monitor transactions, and report any suspicious activity to the national Financial Intelligence Unit.

Peru's regulatory framework leverages modern technology while maintaining tight oversight. Operators must provide real-time reporting capabilities, enabling continuous monitoring. Additionally, international certifications, such as GLI, ensure that gaming systems meet fairness standards. These requirements help establish a competitive and trustworthy market.

Peru Online Gambling License Renewal

In Peru, online gambling licences come with a six-year validity, offering operators a stable period to manage their operations. When it's time for renewal, the process ensures that the same rigorous standards applied during the initial application are maintained. 

To renew a licence, operators must prove they are still meeting all compliance requirements. This includes maintaining financial guarantees, adhering to responsible gaming practices, and ensuring platform security measures are up to standard.

If significant updates have been made to platforms or games since the original approval, re-certification may be necessary. This involves working with authorised testing labs, such as GLI, to confirm that gaming software aligns with Peru's technical standards.

The renewal fees mirror the initial licensing costs. Operators must pay 2.97 million Peruvian Soles (approximately $800,000) or 3% of their net income, whichever is higher. This ensures that larger operators contribute a fair share to regulatory oversight, while smaller businesses remain able to participate.

Tax rates remain consistent during the renewal process. Licensed operators are subject to a 12% tax on Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR) and a 1% Selective Consumption Tax on turnover. These rates apply uniformly, regardless of whether the licence is new or being renewed.

Gambling Regulations in Peru

Operators must submit detailed documentation to demonstrate their ongoing compliance with regulatory standards. This includes updated corporate records, current financial statements, and proof of adherence to AML (Anti-Money Laundering) and KYC (Know Your Customer) procedures.

If there have been changes in key personnel – such as directors, shareholders, or compliance officers – during the licence period, operators must provide updated documentation. Changes in corporate structure or ownership require additional verification, often handled by qualified professionals like lawyers or licensed accountants. Furthermore, appointing a compliance officer is mandatory for all licensed operators.

Additionally, the financial guarantee must remain intact throughout the renewal process. This serves as a safeguard to ensure operators can meet their obligations to players and regulatory authorities.

Operators must also account for any regulatory changes introduced after their original licence was issued. For example, on 1st July 2025, the Selective Consumption Tax was increased from 0.3% to 1%, impacting all licensed operators regardless of their licence status.

The renewal process allows Peru’s regulatory body, DGJCMT, to evaluate how well operators have adapted to these updates. Successfully integrating new requirements is essential for maintaining compliance and determining if additional steps are needed to operate in Peru’s evolving gambling landscape.

Peru has adopted a unified licensing system that encompasses various gambling activities such as online casino games, sports betting, and virtual slot machines. 

Operators are required to utilise platforms and game providers licensed by MINCETUR. Additionally, all gaming software must undergo certification from accredited testing laboratories, with GLI or BMM Testlabs being the primary certification authority.

Fees and Taxes of the Peru Online Gambling License

For operators aiming to enter Peru's online gambling market, it's essential to understand the financial commitments tied to obtaining a licence. The costs in Peru primarily involve a refundable financial guarantee. 

Initial Licensing Fees

In Peru, the licensing fee is essentially a financial guarantee that operators must maintain throughout their licence term. The exact amount depends on the operator's expected gaming volumes and business size. Operators must provide a financial guarantee, which is equal to the greater of 3% of their projected annual net income or 2.97 million Peruvian Soles. If an operator decides to leave the market, this guarantee is refunded.

Renewal Costs

Licences in Peru are issued for six years. To renew, operators need to either maintain or re-evaluate their financial guarantee. The amount may be adjusted based on the actual gaming activity and market performance during the previous licence period.

Tax Requirements

Peru imposes a standard 12% Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR) tax on all licensed gambling activities. This tax rate stays consistent during licence renewals, making it an attractive option for operators in the region. It applies uniformly across all gambling operations under the country's unified licensing framework.

Moreover, there is a 1% consumption tax on the value of every bet placed by players residing in Peru.