Madeleine Burns, Vice Minister of Tourism of Peru: "In July we will have positive news about the regulation of the Law on Online Games and Sports Betting "

How was your experience at the latest Peru Gaming Show? What have been the highlights of the event?

The PERU GAMING SHOW 2023 - PGS, the most important gaming event in Peru, has successfully developed its 20th two-day edition with a significant number of international players, manufacturers of the most recognized brands of slot machines, roulette wheels, gaming laboratories, certification and remote sports betting companies. It is remarkable the quality of the content of the conference schedule and the wide participation of Peruvian and foreign businessmen who have visited this emblematic Latin American Games trade show that year after year takes place in Peru, growing and enjoying greater prestige.

How do you see the gaming market in Peru today? From MINCETUR, what do you consider are the main strengths and challenges to face?

Regarding Face-to-Face Gambling, next July 9 will be the 24th anniversary of Law No. 27153 that regulates the exploitation of Casino Games and Slot Machines and that has been and is a benchmark in the Region. In Peru, it is an important component subsector of the Tourism sector, which generates employment and pays taxes, characterized by its formality. As one of the strengths to highlight is the permanent inspection of the On-site Gambling activity where not only permanent inspections are carried out, but it is integrated into an effective control that includes the use of technology, allowing the operator of a Room to trust the role of the regulator in such a way that it can continue to develop, expand its investments, without worrying about the presence of illegal rooms. The same will occur when the regulation of Online Games and Sports Betting comes into effect.

The Executive Power has until June 28 to promulgate the modification of Law 31557, which regulates the exploitation of remote sports games and betting, and which dictates that both national and foreign companies pay taxes. 

What are the latest developments in this regard?

As it is a fact in the public domain, the Legislative Branch recently modified Law No. 31557 promulgated in August 2022 and which regulates the exploitation of Games and Sports Betting at a distance. In Peru, in order to regulate a Law, a process of Regulatory Impact Analysis - AIR and a Regulatory Quality Analysis - ACR must be complied with and each sector, in this specific case, MINCETUR has been developing this process in close coordination with the Multisectoral Commission for Regulatory Quality made up of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers, the Ministry of Justice and Human Rights, and the Ministry of Economy and Finance. In July we will have positive news in this regard.

What are your expectations for the national gaming industry in the near future?

The gaming industry in Peru has been progressively recovering from the serious economic impact that occurred as a result of the pandemic. The levels of employment and taxation will gradually be recovered, accompanied by an articulated strategy with the Health sector for the protection of vulnerable groups, the prohibition of the participation of persons prevented from entering the Game Rooms, of minors which will also be applied to remote Sports Games and Betting, where there will be no place for anonymity as part of the joint public-private effort in the frontal and permanent fight against money laundering.