What is your impression of Peru Gaming Show 2021 and have the results been the highlights of the show?
Over the years, the Peru Gaming Show Fair has become a space of relevant importance for gaming activity in Peru, allowing the gathering of operators, manufacturers, marketers, laboratories, and representatives of national regulators and other countries. .

As a result of the Covid19 pandemic, the activity of casino gambling and slot machines was closed, among other things, for several months. That is why the development of this event is so important, because it allows us to meet again and talk about what a formal and regulated activity that is already underway to date involves, looking optimistically at the future, which will in any case generate new rules of coexistence, always preserving the life and health of workers and clients.

Another very interesting and very important topic is listening to the speakers selected by the organizers, as they allow us to learn more about the topics that summon us all. In the same way, it allows to talk and share the problems and propose the corresponding solutions within the current legal framework.

From your institution, how have you supported casino operators in all this time?
The activity of casino games and slot machines is not unrelated to the economic crisis in which the tourism sector finds itself, and as a result of the 8-month closure of the casino gambling halls and slot machines, a vacancy problem was generated of the 87,000 direct jobs and 30,000 indirect jobs, as well as a significant decrease in the collection of the tax on casino games and slot machines, which is very important for all Institutions that depend on this tax directed at the level national.

It is very important to note that MINCETUR worked hard to reactivate the activity of casino games and slot machines, promoting the development of the "Sectorial Health Protocol against COVID-19 for gambling halls", which established some mandatory compliance conditions, for restarting activities, such as:

⦁ Use of mask and face shield
⦁ Physical distancing from other people in the game room.
⦁ Prohibition of the consumption of beverages and food inside the game room.
⦁ Disinfection of hands, footwear and hand washing.
⦁ Permanent disinfection of all areas that come into contact with people; among others.

On the other hand, joint visits were made with officials from MINCETUR and the Ministry of Health to the game rooms in order to verify correct compliance with the Sectorial Health Protocol in the face of COVID-19, including relevant aspects, such as correct ventilation within the game rooms. These visits proved that the provisions of the Sectoral Health Protocol were fulfilled in excess.

Currently, casino gambling halls and slot machines have been operating with reduced capacity, being in areas with Moderate alert levels that operate with 50% of the allowed capacity. However, MINCETUR continues to request and support an increase in the capacity authorized to date.

With regard to online gambling, what news is there about its possible legalization?
In Peru, distance sports games and bets have been growing significantly, estimating that, in 2020, bets were made in the order of 4.5 million soles and more than 200,000 daily bets; However, to date, there is a legal vacuum that does not allow the State to deploy its powers of control, supervision and supervision.

The MINCETUR, through the DGJCMT, has completed the drafting of the bill; However, to date and for some years, it has been coordinating with the tax collecting entity, in order to define what refers to the tax model that would affect said activity, the opinion of the collecting entity being to regulate all platforms digital companies that operate in Peru, among which are remote sports betting and games.

If the law is enacted, what would be the main advantages for the reactivation of the sector?
The project creates the legal framework that will allow the granting of authorizations for the exploitation of platforms for remote gambling and sports betting, inscriptions in various administrative registers, creation of a special tax on net income and approval of technical standards that will safeguard transparency. in gambling and sport integrity, promoting responsible gaming, establishing access controls to protect vulnerable sectors and prevent money laundering, assets and terrorist financing, among others.