Peru and the Offshore Challenge: How MINCETUR is Building a Regulated Online Gambling Market

The rapid growth of online gambling across Latin America has drawn the attention of international operators, affiliates, and local players alike. Yet this expansion has not been without risks. In several countries, the absence of clear regulatory frameworks has allowed unlicensed offshore operators to dominate, creating an ecosystem where players lack protection and governments lose valuable tax revenue.

Until recently, Peru was no exception. For years, many users accessed offshore platforms without safeguards or oversight. That situation began to change in 2023, when the country enacted Law 31.557, establishing a legal framework for online gambling and designating the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Tourism (MINCETUR) as the regulator. 

Now, the ministry is targeting illegal supply while laying the groundwork for a transparent, sustainable market. The central question is whether Peru can become a regional model for transitioning from reliance on offshore operators to a regulated digital gambling ecosystem.

The offshore supply problem

Offshore operators had a deep impact on Peru’s market. Their appeal stemmed from easy access and a lack of restrictions for players. Yet beneath that convenience were serious problems:

• No player protection: offshore platforms offered no age verification, deposit limits, or responsible gambling tools, leaving users exposed to addiction and fraud.
• Unfair competition: unlicensed companies operated without paying taxes, putting compliant operators at a disadvantage.
• Fiscal loss: potential state revenue was diverted to offshore entities with no oversight.

By 2023, the issue had become unsustainable. Law 31.557 gave MINCETUR the mandate to regulate, license, and enforce standards across the sector.

MINCETUR’s intervention

MINCETUR’s strategy rests on three pillars:

• Mandatory licensing – any operator wishing to serve Peruvian players must obtain a license issued by MINCETUR.
• Strict oversight – the regulator enforces technical, compliance, and security requirements to align with international standards.
• Action against illegality – from blocking offshore domains to sanctioning unlicensed providers, the ministry has committed to curbing illegal supply.

This framework aims not just to reduce illegal gambling, but also to build trust among players and attract serious operators willing to invest in transparency.

Impact on operators and affiliates

The transition to a regulated market creates both challenges and opportunities.

For operators, licensing brings additional costs and compliance obligations. Yet it also provides access to a legal, stable market with growing player confidence.

For affiliates, the shift requires a new approach. The focus is no longer on sending traffic anywhere, but on promoting licensed brands that follow MINCETUR’s rules. This transition elevates affiliates into the role of trusted mediators, helping players identify safe platforms and supporting the growth of the regulated ecosystem.

Expert insight

As Jorge Esteban of MejoresCasinos explains, Peru’s strategy goes beyond punishing unlicensed supply. “The MINCETUR license is about building credibility. By requiring clear rules on KYC, responsible gambling, and financial traceability, Peru is creating an ecosystem where operators, affiliates, and players can thrive under secure conditions.”

This perspective is reflected in MejoresCasinos’ detailed guide to MINCETUR’s online casino license, which outlines how the system works and why it matters. By making information accessible, guides like this help affiliates and players understand the importance of engaging only with licensed operators.

Player protection and public trust

A key element of Peru’s regulation is ensuring that players are protected from abusive practices and gambling-related harm. MINCETUR’s framework includes:

• Mandatory identity verification to prevent underage gambling.
• Deposit and spending limits to control player exposure.
• Self-exclusion tools for vulnerable users.
• Advertising oversight to limit exposure among at-risk groups.

These measures send a clear message: gambling under license is safer and more responsible than turning to offshore sites.

Regional comparison

Peru’s regulatory push can be better understood alongside other Latin American examples:

• Colombia – the pioneer in online gambling regulation, with a mature and well-respected framework under Coljuegos.
• Chile – currently in the legislative phase, seeking to establish its first online gambling law.
• Brazil – the regional giant, which has approved initial legislation but still faces the challenge of full implementation.

In this context, Peru stands as a middle case: not the first mover like Colombia, but advancing decisively with a model that combines enforcement against illegality with opportunities for licensed growth.

Looking ahead

Passing the law is just the beginning. The real challenge for Peru will be sustaining enforcement against unlicensed operators while fostering an environment that attracts continued investment.

If MINCETUR can maintain a system where players feel safe, operators see stability, and the state secures consistent tax income, Peru could establish itself as a benchmark market in Latin America.

Building trust as the foundation of regulation

Peru’s path highlights an important lesson: regulating online gambling is not just about restricting illegality, but about building shared trust.

• The state secures revenue and oversight.
• Operators gain access to a legitimate, sustainable market.
• Affiliates strengthen their role by promoting transparent, licensed brands.
• Players benefit from a safer, more responsible environment.

The transition from a market dominated by offshore operators to a regulated ecosystem is never simple. But Peru shows that it is possible – and that MINCETUR is placing trust, transparency, and sustainability at the heart of its strategy.

- B.E. Delmer, Gambling911.com