Peru is a north-western South American country with a very rich history. It is the homeland of the Inca Empire, one of the cradles of world civilization. In more recent years, it fell under Spanish rule in the 16th century before gaining its independence in 1821. In terms of gambling, locals have always been keen players and in 1979, the first decree on the industry came to life.
However, while brick-and-mortar premises are fully legal, online gambling in Peru is still under no law. A 2018 proposed bill that could bring major changes keeps on being under review by the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Tourism (MINCETUR). At the moment, there are a few local betting sites in Peru. Regardless of that, there is total freedom of online access. Therefore, Peruvian players are free to bet on any international bookmaker they prefer.
Best Betting Sites in Peru
We’ve checked all the available Peruvian betting sites and here we list the ones with the best odds on the Liga 1, along with a great variety of markets and daily offers.
Betting in Peru - 5 Things to Know
- 1 Legal gambling age in Peru is 18
- 2 There are many shops or betting points inside casinos
- 3 Players enjoy unrestricted access to online bookies
- 4 All procedures fall under the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Tourism
- 5 Online betting is expected to be regulated soon
General info
⏩Population: 32.800.000
⏩Active players: 4.000.000
⏩Currency: Peruvian sol (PEN)
⏩Regulated gambling products: Sports betting, lotteries, casino games
⏩Operator types: Land-based betting shops and casinos, unlicensed betting sites
⏩Designated authority: General Directorate of Casino Games and Slot Machines (DGJCMT) under the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Tourism (MINCETUR)
⏩Status: Semi-regulated
Is Online Gambling in Peru Legal?
The 1st attempt to regulate gambling in Peru came in 1979 with decree no. 22515. In 1999 Peru established its first official law (no. 27153) on gambling and games of chance; with some amendments taking place later on (decree no. 27796).
Land-based activities are well-organized and function just fine, with casinos and betting shops alike. However, the Peru online gambling scene still doesn’t fall under any law framework. The state has luckily seen the potential and drafted a bill in late 2018. Yet, it still awaits a vote by the government.
If it eventually comes to practice, it will bring many changes. Operators shall be able to apply for a local license. Moreover, a standard 12% tax will be deducted on their net winnings from bets. Companies would also have the obligation to provide a guarantee of around $500,000-600,000 to issue payments to bettors. As for access to online bookmakers, Peru will not be allowing it to problem gamblers and minors.
Online betting licenses are also expected to be given. They will have a 6-year validity, with no extra special fee. Local operators like Te Apuesto, Inkabet, Doradobet, Apuesta Total and Livesport, could also apply for one. At the moment, they’re all operating under a Curacao license.
Essential Information for Peruvian Bettors
Online betting in Peru is already very popular and players have total freedom of choice. The state imposes no restrictions whatsoever, neither do financial institutions regarding any Peru betting sites. Bettors are freely accessing any online bookie they want and it seems as if it will be the same for years to come. An important fact is that winnings are not taxed. Moreover, there’s no proposal in the upcoming bill either in terms of taxing players’ winnings.
How to Deposit at Online Bookies
Peru’s local currency, PEN or sol, is not very popular among bookmakers. This is the reason why local operators are so popular among locals, who are unfamiliar with currency exchange rates. Apart from a few bookies like 1xBet Peru and 22bet, which are offering PEN accounts, there is another superb alternative. Just use an e-wallet like Neteller, Skrill and Ecopayz.
They are easy to use, have very low fees and offer fast and convenient withdrawals. Peru online betting is free of restrictions, find what’s best for you and enjoy it. If you are looking for such reliable bookies, check out the Betmaster sportsbook review.
The Future of Sports Betting in Peru
As we have seen, sports betting in Peru is already popular. So, it’s important to see what will eventually happen with the proposed legislation. It's already been a couple of years waiting for the bill to pass. When and if this happens, the online environment could see itself under a specific law framework for the first time. The state would issue licenses and the road could be open for major international operators to join. This would definitely raise the bar for better betting options for Peruvian bettors.
Gambling in the Neighbouring Countries
Many of the neighbouring countries either share similar or completely different regulations than Peru. It is always wise to be informed about the general situation of gambling in case you were planning a visit. So we compiled the following information from the countries right outside the borders:
⏩ Chile: shares a similar overview and legislative context as Peru, where land-based gambling is legal and regulated. As for the Chile betting sites, even though technically illegal, they can be found abundantly and accessed without restrictions.
⏩ Bolivia: has been gradually regulating its gambling market since 2002. Land-based casinos have been receiving licenses, while betting sites in Bolivia are still gaining popularity even if unlicensed. Players have unobstructed access to international bookies.
⏩ Colombia: is another country with a lot of love for sports and gambling. With more than 6,000,000 active bettors, the country has legalised and regulated gambling. This applies to Colombia betting sites that sometimes operate with local licenses and domains. However, foreign and unlicensed bookies are also available.
Peru is one of the countries where you get to keep what you win. There is no tax law to draw upon winnings from gambling and the same applies to the upcoming proposed law as well.
Offering 1.000+ live events daily, 95% payout on top leagues and many promotions; 22bet also allows you to open a PEN account so you don’t have to worry about currency conversion fees.
There is no legal framework covering online betting in specific. Yet, there are no restrictions or sanctions in place and betting is absolutely legal in Peru. You will face absolutely no problem.
Apart from the few local bookmakers, players are constantly accessing online bookies. Stick to the ones you are familiar with, for instance 22bet, and enjoy a safe online betting experience.
Peru doesn’t have a licensing authority yet. Online bookies are therefore operating under other authorities. check out the Betsson sportsbook review and join the MGA-licensed bookie that welcomes all Peruvian players.
All bookies will allow you to open a USD or EUR account. A few will even allow you to use your local currency. Plus, you may use an e-wallet like Neteller or Skrill and enjoy fast transactions.