Casinos in Peru

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Introduction

Following Brazil and Argentina, Peru is the third largest country in South America, while it takes up the high second place as Latin America's most gambling-friendly country.

Due to the wealthy and highly organized civilization that ruled this region for centuries, Peru's name derives from a Quechua word meaning land of abundance.

But besides its gambling affinities, Peru has lots to offer its tourists, from breathtaking nature that features beaches, jungles, and rain forests to a way of life and economic activities!

Speaking of rainforests, the well-known Amazon rainforest covers almost half of the country! Home to many animals and plants that only live there and nowhere else in the world, the Amazon is undoubtedly one of the main reasons people from around the globe like to visit this country!

Expectedly, most people live near the capital, Lima, along the Pacific Ocean coast; naturally, that's where the gambling scene is booming.

But we are here to discuss gambling…

…and give you the rundown on some of the most popular land-based casinos in Peru's major cities.

When it comes to gambling in Peru, it is both well-organized and legal! Whatever you name it, you will find it – from lottery gaming to online casinos, sportsbook betting sites, bingo halls, and, of course, land-based casinos offering traditional table games!

This comes as no surprise, considering there are about 40 gaming parlors around the country. Most of them are in Lima, but you can also find some notable venues in Ica, Chimbote, Chiclayo, Arequipa, Tacna, and Cuzco.

It is no wonder gaming is one of the largest employment sources in the country, especially when you consider the hundreds of small and medium-sized game rooms or slot establishments.

A survey found that, in 2021, around 20% of adults in Peru participated in some form of gambling, indicating the country's commitment to efficient regulations and ongoing innovation.

That same year is also worth mentioning by the fact that the gambling industry generated more than a billion dollars!

Since then, gambling in Peru has grown exponentially due to internet accessibility and the emergence of more bookmakers.

According to some stats ,the online gambling market in Peru will have 880.6k users by 2029.

History of Gambling

The history of land-based casinos in Peru began in 1979, when they became legal thanks to Decree-Law No. 225151, while online casinos gained their first license much later, in 2008.

As a result of the formalization of gambling in 2006, the number of venues in this country has grown by 400%.

Nowadays, some of the biggest casinos in Peru include Atlantic City Casino, Majestic Casino, Fiesta Casino, and Golden Palace Casino, with many more contributing to the impressive number of slot machines available – over 70,000.

Per the country's casino regulations, most land-based betting parlors are open from 0 to 24, with only slots available at all times.

In the past four decades, ever since 1979, when a significant number of local and foreign investors joined the market, the DGJCMT and Mincetur have tried to update and adjust the legal framework to global trends and market requests.

Key milestones have included tax regulations in 1990 and ethical guidelines for casinos in 1999.

Moreover, while almost all Latin American countries have banned offshore or local online casinos, Peru has never explicitly done that, which has led to attracting many local and foreign brands!

Legislation and Jurisdiction

Peru's gambling market stands out in South America due to its inclusive regulatory framework, which includes traditional and contemporary real-money gaming.

Regarding licensing online casino sites and gambling establishments, La Dirección General de Juegos de Casino y Máquinas Tragamonedas – DGJCMT – carries the primary responsibility.

Some notable changes were made regarding responsible gaming policy between 2007 and 2012, which made a massive difference in the iGaming industry in Peru. Up until then, there had been a lot of rigged games, money laundering, and involvement from organized crime.

The last significant law came in 2023 when Peru’s Ministry of Foreign Trade and Tourism (Mincetur) approved the country’s sports betting and gaming regulations. This means that operators currently active in Peru’s gaming market were given one month to apply for a license.

This move led to 145 requests for operator licenses in the first 30 days after Law No. 31557 was enacted in February 2024.

Popular Sports & Games

As is the case with nearly all Latin American countries, football accounts for the majority of the sports betting market—more accurately, 90%.

The most popular events include the World Cup, the Champions League, the Copa America, the European Championships, local tournaments, and essential matches at the world level.

Moreover, some 2020 statistics show that, except for Brazil, more sports bets are placed in Peru than in any other South American country.

Regarding land-based gambling venues...

...the most requested products include poker, blackjack, baccarat, slot machines, Texas Hold'em, and Caribbean poker, as well as keno.

The latter, together with scratch cards and bingo, is among the most famous traditional gambling forms in Peru.

Banking

All casinos in the country accept Peruvian soles and US dollars, and most accept credit cards and provide ATMs.

Note that you should always bring your ID to enter a casino or withdraw larger payouts.

When it comes to cryptocurrencies since 2021, users who make transactions or generate income in cryptocurrencies have had to pay national taxes.

However, the law that regulates remote games and sports betting from the beginning of 2024 dedicated a detailed paragraph to the ban of Bitcoin and cryptocurrencies for the payment of both activities.

Conclusion

Peru's gambling market is in excellent shape due to many years of innovation and refinement in both traditional and online gambling regulations.

Visitors seeking a genuine casino experience will find that the country offers a great selection of venues.

However, the appeal of these venues is not solely in their game offer...

...but in the fact that they provide fantastic additional services, including restaurants, gyms, conference rooms, swimming pools, dance studios and more!