Peru Gaming Sector Boosts Tourism Funding

Peru’s gaming sector is increasingly contributing to the country’s tourism development, having generated more than 120 million soles in funding for promotional and infrastructure initiatives, according to Fernando Calderón Castro, President of the National Society of Games of Chance (SONAJA).

The funds come from taxes applied to land-based casinos, slot machines and online gaming platforms. A portion of this revenue is directed to the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Tourism (Mincetur) to support tourism promotion, regulatory activities and infrastructure projects.

Overall, gaming-related tax revenues reached 465 million soles last year, highlighting the sector’s growing importance to the national economy. However, this growth has not been evenly distributed, with land-based operations experiencing a decline in both venue numbers and customer activity, reflecting a shift toward digital gaming platforms.

Revenue allocation varies depending on the type of gaming. For land-based operations, 60% of tax income is distributed to local municipalities hosting gaming establishments, 15% to Mincetur, 10% to the Peruvian Institute of Sport (IPD) and 15% to the Public Treasury.

In contrast, taxes generated from online gaming are allocated differently, with 40% going to Mincetur, 20% to mental health programmes, 20% to the IPD and 20% to the Public Treasury.

Despite the sector’s financial contribution, industry representatives have raised concerns about regulatory pressure and increasing taxation. Calderón Castro criticised the application of the Selective Consumption Tax (ISC) on land-based gaming, arguing that it adds to an already existing tax burden.

He warned that excessive taxation could negatively impact revenues and employment, while potentially encouraging the growth of unregulated gambling activity. According to industry stakeholders, higher costs for operators may push players toward illegal platforms, undermining both state income and regulatory efforts.

Even with these challenges, gaming remains closely linked to Peru’s tourism sector. Locations such as Tacna benefit from casino activity, attracting international visitors and supporting broader spending across hospitality and related industries.