Mincetur proposes lower online gambling fines and 10% revenue cap in Peru

Peru's Ministry of Foreign Trade and Tourism (Mincetur) has published a draft supreme decree that would amend the regulations implementing Law 31557, the law governing remote gambling and remote sports betting. The ministry issued the draft through Ministerial Resolution 382-2026-MINCETUR and has opened a 15-calendar-day public consultation on it. Comments can be submitted through the gob.pe/mincetur portal, at the ministry's records office or by email.

The draft would reduce fines across all categories. Minor infringements currently carry penalties of up to 50 UIT (about €71,500), serious ones between 50 and 150 UIT (about €214,600) and very serious ones between 150 and 200 UIT (about €286,100). Under the proposal, minor infringements would draw a warning or a fine of one to 11 UIT (about €1,430 to €15,700), serious ones one to 35 UIT (up to about €50,100) and very serious ones one to 70 UIT (up to about €100,100). The UIT is Peru's tax reference unit for setting sanctions and equals PEN5,500 (about €1,430) in 2026.

For very serious infringements, cancellation of the authorisation and disqualification for up to 10 years or permanently would be retained. The draft adds a cap: no fine may exceed 10% of the gross revenue the offender obtained in the previous year. The limit would not apply to repeat offences or to sanctions for unauthorised operation of platforms or betting shops, meaning illegal gambling.

According to the explanatory memorandum, the reform draws on the first year of application of the regulations and was prepared with associations from the formal sector and the Ministry of Economy and Finance. The ministry said it sought a range of fines "more in line with the reality of the sector so that they have a deterrent effect and are not over-deterrent".

The draft also sets out obligations for licence holders and their suppliers. These cover timely payment of balances and prizes, the use of payment methods, responsible advertising, warnings about problem gambling and access controls to prevent minors and self-excluded people from playing.

On supervision, the proposal would replace direct and permanent access to operators' systems with structured reporting, traceability, independent audits and access on specific request. It also regulates the seizure, abandonment and destruction of assets linked to illegal gambling. According to the explanatory memorandum, Peru has 4,559 authorised sports betting shops.

The consultation comes while Peru's Congress is considering a separate bill that would raise the tax on each online bet to 5%.