Peru shuts down six illegal betting and slot machine parlors
Peru's Ministry of Foreign Trade and Tourism, Mincetur, reported the closure of six sports betting and slot machine establishments that were operating illegally in the regions of Loreto and Cusco. The operations are part of a sustained offensive by the Peruvian regulator against clandestine activity, in a market that is moving towards a fully formalized model after the implementation of Law 31557 on remote sports betting.
The actions were carried out by the General Directorate of Casino Games and Slot Machines with the support of the Peruvian National Police. In the Loreto region, inspectors intervened in three establishments in the Ramón Castilla district. Two of them offered unlicensed online sports betting, which led to the seizure of 24 computer equipment used to capture and process online bets. In the same jurisdiction, a clandestine slot machine parlor was also closed, where 19 machines operating outside the regulatory framework were seized.
Cusco: focus on access for minors
In the Espinar district, in the Cusco region, inspectors intervened in three additional premises. During these operations, 26 slot machines intended for minors were confiscated, a practice expressly prohibited by Peruvian legislation. The seizure reopens the discussion about effective controls in areas far from large urban centers, where informal gambling offerings are often disguised in kiosks, video game arcades, or mixed establishments.
The framework applied by Mincetur combines three regulations: Law 27153, which regulates the exploitation of casino games and slot machines; Law 31557, the basis of the new remote sports betting market; and Law 29149, which specifically penalizes the exploitation of slot machines intended for minors. This normative triangulation allows inspectors to act both against operators who do not have a license and against those who violate child protection restrictions.
Year-end balance and regional projection
According to Mincetur, between January and May 2026, the agency ordered the closure of ten sports betting establishments and three slot machine parlors operating outside the legal framework, reaching a total of 13 establishments closed so far this year. The pace of operations reflects a change in approach: with the adaptation window closed and the first licensed operators already in operation, the ministry prioritizes punishing those who chose to continue operating outside the law.
The Peruvian case reinforces a trend that is repeated throughout Latin America. Markets such as Colombia, Argentina, Brazil, and the Dominican Republic are strengthening inspection operations while expanding their licensed models. For regulated operators, pressure on the parallel market is key to sustaining investment in platforms, marketing, and responsible gambling, given that illegal offerings often compete without paying taxes or implementing player protection tools.
Tags: Peru, Loreto, Mincetur Peru, illegal gambling Peru, slot machines Cusco