Peru’s iGaming market stands out as one of the few fully regulated in South America, a milestone achieved through over four decades of effort by legislators and gaming companies. Today, real-money gaming holds a solid place among Peruvian adults, with both land-based casinos and online betting thriving as popular options. This regulatory setup has made it easier for the industry to mature into a recognized and accessible form of entertainment across the country. 

Peruvians participate in online gambling, especially in sports betting, which fits well with Peru's strong love for football. Online casinos are also attracting players with their wide selection of games, from slots to poker, enhancing the appeal of digital gambling. Peru's favorable regulatory environment, which ensures both safety and variety, has made the market attractive to both local and international operators. 

The expert article, as an analysis by Atlaslive, reveals the current Peruvian market scope, growth outlook, two main igaming categories that bring the most revenue, and insightful facts about players when compared to the entire region of South America. This unique study offers an in-depth analysis of the numbers and socio-economic patterns shaping Peru’s gambling market. It also explores the history and development of current regulations, along with key characteristics of real money players in the country.

Peru’s Current Gambling Market Scope and Growth Projections

Source: Statista 2024

The Peruvian gaming market has shown steady growth, particularly from 2017 to 2021, with the Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR) peaking at a 24.16% growth rate. This rise aligns with the expansion and legalization of online gaming and betting in the country, attracting new players and increasing engagement. This period likely saw the introduction of new platforms and products, spurring growth across the industry.

From 2021 onward, growth rates began to decline, signaling a market reaching maturity. New player acquisition appears to be stabilizing, suggesting that gaming operators have largely captured their target audience. Other factors, like increased competition and possible regulatory changes, may also contribute to slower growth. These numbers are nothing unusual in the iGaming sector; it's a common story and trend worldwide, as well as within individual countries.

We see that even with reduced growth rates, total revenue continues to rise, reflecting the industry’s stability in Peru. This trend indicates that while fewer new players are entering, existing customers remain active, sustaining revenue streams.

The Peruvian market is growing much slower than the broader South American market and is not considered a key player in the general regional market, but still, it is promising and evolving. By 2025, it’s expected to account for just over 5.5% of the region’s total, meaning Peru isn’t exactly a major player in South America’s iGaming scene.

The big GGR growth spikes we saw in 2020 and 2023 across the region weren’t driven by Peru. Instead, Argentina and Brazil, South America’s biggest markets, are the ones leading the charge. Their iGaming strategies and rapid development have contributed the most to regional growth.

Source: Statista 2024

Peru’s GGR is split pretty evenly between two big players: Online Casinos and Online Sports Betting. Each one contributes around 50% to the total, making it a well-balanced market where both categories pull their weight. This balance shows that users are equally drawn to the thrill of casino games and the excitement of betting on sports. It’s a market where both sides are keeping pace, rather than one overshadowing the other.

When it comes to online lottery in Peru, its share of total revenue by category is so small that it doesn’t even show up on the chart. But that doesn’t mean it won’t become a profitable area in Peru’s online gaming scene by 2030. Looking at the broader South American stats, countries like Argentina, Brazil, and Colombia are leading the way in player engagement for online lotteries, with strong revenue numbers in this category.

Challenges and Opportunities in Peru’s Online Gaming Scene

The ARPU across South America has shown strong growth, increasing from $163 to $772 over the entire period, demonstrating a positive upward trend. This remarkable expansion highlights the region's thriving iGaming market, driven by increasing player engagement and evolving gaming preferences. But which category has contributed the most to this impressive growth? Let’s take a closer look at the key drivers behind this success.

Source: Statista 2024

The Online Casinos category shows a steady and consistent ARPU growth, rising from $181 in 2017 to $513 in 2028. This trend suggests that this segment is popular and has a strong audience that gradually increases its spending over time. 

The Online Sports Betting category also demonstrates stable ARPU growth, from $319 in 2017 to $453 in 2028. Although its initial ARPU was higher than that of casinos, the growth is smoother, and by 2028, it doesn’t reach the casino ARPU level. This might indicate a slightly lower betting frequency. 

The Online Lottery contributes very little to the overall ARPU. This segment likely doesn’t have the same popularity as casinos or sports betting, possibly due to a limited range of products or less audience interest in lotteries in an online format. 

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ARPU and Player Base: Peru vs. South America

Peru shows steady but significantly slower ARPU growth compared to the region. This could point to certain social and financial limitations among players in Peru or a lower interest in certain types of gambling compared to other South American countries. By 2025, Peru’s ARPU is expected to reach $518, which is 18.7% below the regional average, and by 2028, the gap is projected to widen to over 30%.

While Argentina will also have a lower ARPU in 2025, its impact on GGR will far outweigh Peru’s due to player volume — nearly seven times higher (Total Unique Players: Peru – 0.67 million, Argentina – 4.6 million). In 2025, Peru’s main driver of GGR growth (66.5%) will be the increase in unique players rather than ARPU growth.

The total number of unique players in Peru continues to grow, but the growth rate is slowing down, indicating market saturation. The most promising segment remains Online Sports Betting, while Online Casinos show potential for further growth of innovation and active development are pursued. Although Peru is one of the smallest markets in the region in terms of player numbers, it accounts for 7% of the total player base in South America. 

Although Peru shows low levels of GGR and ARPU, it has one of the highest penetration rates in the region, just slightly below the average. This points to the potential for further development. The greatest growth potential lies in the Online Sports Betting segment, which already shows the highest appeal among users. 

The Atlaslive Sportsbook Platform offers a ready-made solution for operators looking to launch or upgrade their online sportsbooks quickly. With a rapid integration process that can take as little as 2 days, and a full suite of tools, including risk management, CRM, a bonus engine, payment systems, and business analytics, this platform is built to help partners drive player engagement and increase revenue efficiently.

The Evolution of Gambling Regulation in Peru

Peru’s gaming laws tell a story of smart moves and real growth. Back in 1979, Peru took a big step by legalizing land-based casinos, opening the doors to what would become a thriving industry. This wasn’t just about gambling; it was about laying down roots for something bigger, a gaming scene with real oversight and opportunity. 

In the ‘90s, they added a few more pieces to the puzzle: defining taxes for the industry and setting up rules around advertising, even tying gaming into tourism. This was strategic. Peru was building gaming into the economy while keeping an eye on ethics—making sure the industry wasn’t just profitable, but also responsible. 

Then came a turning point: online gaming. In 2008, Peru became one of the early countries in Latin America to issue licenses for online operations. It was a bold move, one that showed Peru was ready to adapt and bring gaming into the digital age. By 2022, they had wrapped all types of gambling into their regulatory framework, and in 2024, they closed the loop with complete licensing. 

Now, Peru stands with a solid, well-rounded gaming market. They’ve found a way to keep things fresh and profitable while protecting players and maintaining order. It’s not just about growth — it’s about growth done right.

Where Do Things Stand Now with Peru’s Gambling Regulations?

With rising demand and a booming market, Peru took steps to tighten up its gaming regulations. The goal? Ensure fair taxation and boost public benefits. 

In 2022, Laws N° 31557 and N° 31806 brought most gaming sectors under one comprehensive framework. By 2023, Supreme Decree N° 005-2023 laid out clear guidelines for online sports betting and real-money gaming. 

Now, online casino operators must hold a valid DGJCMT license to operate legally. The rules spell out the standards and process for getting and keeping these licenses. 

The licensing window opened in mid-February 2024, with a strong focus on quick compliance. Penalties for violations are hefty, from fines up to $260,000 to a permanent ban from the market.

The Road Ahead for Peru’s iGaming Market

Peru’s gambling market reflects a strong commitment to regulation and innovation. Recent legislation covers both traditional and digital gaming, and the real-money sector is steadily maturing, setting a foundation for continued growth. 

Atlaslive remains focused on exploring the South American iGaming landscape, aiming to understand the unique dynamics of each country in the region. The company keeps a close eye on regulatory updates and fully complies with all legal standards to ensure business operations remain secure and within legal boundaries. Knowing the latest trends, changes, and challenges in the market helps to adjust and customize all software solutions properly, developing tech capabilities to meet the specific needs of both operators and players. Atlaslive — the tech behind the game.

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