Gaming Legislation Updates in Peru, Colombia, and Venezuela
Peru
While games of chance have existed in Peru for a long time with the first legislation being introduced as early as in the 1920s, modern and comprehensive regulation has evolved primarily over the past two decades. Notable milestones were in 2001 (the first comprehensive act) and 2019 (the regulation of online games of chance), with continuing development in 2024. Peru offers a range of gambling activities including casinos, slot machines, sports betting, online gambling, lotteries and traditional games like bullfight betting.
Most recent and key regulations refer to Law No. 31557 from 2022, which legalized online gaming and sports betting, requiring all operators to obtain a license from the Ministry of Foreign Trade & Tourism (MINCETUR). It also introduced a 12 percent tax on gross gaming revenue (GGR), with revenues allocated to tourism, infrastructure, sports and mental health programs. The latest legislative decree, No. 1644, enacted in September 2024, introduced an additional one percent excise tax on online gaming and sports betting, effective from January 1, 2025.
As of April 2024, all companies operating in the Peruvian online-gaming market must have a valid gambling license from the Directorate General of Casino Games & Slot Machines (DGJCMT). The initial licensing process was open during February and March 2024. During that period 145 license applications were received from both domestic and international operators. This number alone stands for the level of market development in Peru — especially bearing in mind that the country’s population exceeds 30 million people. In the meantime, the deadline was extended until December 31, 2024.
With regard to the licensing process, it includes background checks, financial audits and compliance with taxation laws. In general, licenses are issued for a five-year term with a possibility of renewal.
The new Peruvian regulations promote responsible-gaming practices by encouraging operators to implement self-exclusion tools and support programs for players struggling with problem gambling. Challenges remain in combating unlicensed, offshore betting sites targeting Peruvian players, even though monitoring of all online gaming transactions was formally introduced more than a decade ago.
Colombia
In Colombia, games of chance — including both land-based and online gambling — are regulated by number of laws to ensure a safe, transparent, and legal environment for both operators and players. In the 1990s, the constitution of Colombia made all games of chance a state monopoly, which has changed over time.
The foundational law regulating gambling in Colombia is Act 643 from 2001. It established the framework for both land-based and online gambling in the country. Additional updates to this act occurred in 2015 and 2016, when further upgrades involving the licensing regime and online gambling were introduced. It is worth mentioning that Colombia was the first country in Latin America to regulate online-gambling activities, while at the same time random number generators were permitted only this year.
The primary regulatory authority overseeing gambling activities in Colombia is the Colombian Gaming Regulation & Control Board (Coljuegos). Coljuegos is responsible for issuing licenses, regulating operations and ensuring that the gambling sector adheres to its legal, social, and financial requirements.
Once a gambling license is obtained, it is typically valid for a period of five years. After this initial period, the operator must apply for a license renewal. Currently there are 16 regulated, online operators in Colombia.
Recent amendments have been made to Colombia’s gambling laws (due to a “state of emergency”), notably affecting online-gambling taxation. On February 14, 2025, the Colombian government issued Decree No. 0175, which temporarily removes the VAT exemption for online gambling operators. This decree imposes a 19 percent value-added tax on player deposits. It is applicable to various payment methods, including cash, bank transfers and cryptocurrencies (despite their non-legal tender status in Colombia). The VAT is set to remain in effect until December 31, 2025.
Additionally, this decree allows Coljuegos to request that Internet service providers block illegal gambling sites, aiming to protect consumers from unauthorized operations. In its latest black-market crackdown, in February 2025, Coljuegos has blocked 10,000 Web sites and social-media profiles that were offering illegal betting. Notwithstanding this and bearing in mind the newly introduced (hopefully temporarily) tax burden, it can be expected that a number of players will turn to the black market and unlicensed operators in the territory.
Venezuela
In Venezuela, the regulation of games of chance, including both land-based and online gambling, is governed by a combination of laws, decrees, and governmental bodies. The Law on Activities Related to Games of Chance of 1997 and the Casino Law represent the primary pieces of legislation governing gambling activities in the country. These regulate both land-based and online gambling, and include provisions for licensing, taxation and operation of gambling establishments.
Furthermore, the gambling industry in Venezuela has faced many challenges due to the country’s political and economic situation. But there are still some key regulations in place for the operation of gambling activities. Since the existing laws are quite outdated (with the main act having been adopted in 1997), the Venezuelan government often issues decrees or presidential orders related to the gambling industry — especially when changes are needed to align with economic conditions or political decisions.
The primary regulatory body overseeing gambling activities in Venezuela is the National Gambling Commission. It is responsible for overseeing the operations of land-based casinos, bingo halls and other games of chance. However the overall political situation in the country has affected the full effectiveness of its regulatory systems.
Land-based casinos and other traditional gambling activities are regulated, but online gambling remains largely unregulated and often operates in a legal gray area. Moreover, while online gambling platforms are technically illegal under existing Venezuelan laws (no update to these occurred in the last 30 years), some operators still run online casinos and sports betting sites targeting Venezuelan players. The enforcement of online-gambling regulations in Venezuela has been inconsistent, partly due to the country’s economic and political challenges.
In addition, Venezuela is subject to a series of international sanctions, which further complicate the legal landscape for both domestic and foreign gambling operators. Besides, sanctions have affected financial transactions and the ability to process payments for gambling-related activities.
To conclude, the lack of consistent enforcement, combined with economic difficulties and political instability, has created challenges for both operators and consumers in the Venezuelan gambling market.
DISCLAIMER: Law Firm Siketić & Tomić d.o.o. wish to avoid inaccuracies and, whilst every precaution has been taken to ensure that information contained in this report is accurate, no liability is accepted for errors or omissions, however caused.
