Peru World Cup Betting Traffic Drops After Tournament

Peru’s sports betting platforms attracted a surge in activity during the FIFA World Cup 2026, but most of the additional audience did not remain after the tournament. Research by Apuesta Legal Perú found that only 7% of the extra visits generated during the competition continued afterwards.

The study also highlighted growing market concentration, with the three betting operators attracting the most traffic in September accounting for 65% of all visits.

Monthly visits to betting websites climbed to an average of 136.9 million in June and July before falling to 87.4 million across August and September. The latter figure was closer to the January–May monthly average of 83.6 million, before the tournament began. The analysis covered approximately 21 months, from January 2025 to September 2026.

Third-Quarter Visits Increase 37.2%

Peru’s betting platforms recorded 309.4 million visits in the third quarter of 2026, up 37.2% compared with the same period in 2025. July alone generated 44% of the quarter’s total traffic, reflecting the World Cup’s influence on user activity.

Wagering volumes also increased during the tournament, although the growth was less pronounced than the rise in website visits. According to the Central Reserve Bank of Peru (BCRP), monthly wagers averaged PEN 4.17 billion in June and July, 17% above the average for the preceding three months. Platform traffic, by comparison, increased by 65% over the same period.

July Records the Year’s Highest Betting Activity

July was the strongest month of 2026 for the sector in terms of economic activity. Total wagers reached approximately PEN 4.4 billion, while operators generated PEN 456 million in net gaming revenue—the amount of wagers not returned to players as prizes.

The increase also translated into higher tax receipts for the government. In August, when taxes on July’s activity were collected, the state received PEN 44.2 million through the Selective Consumption Tax (ISC) and PEN 53.6 million from taxes on online games and remote sports betting.

Leading Operators Capture 65% of September Traffic

Apuesta Legal Perú’s findings indicate that traffic is becoming increasingly concentrated among the largest betting companies. In September, the three operators with the most visits collectively held a 65% share, the highest combined proportion recorded since the study began in January 2025.

The leading operator’s share increased from 27% to 36% during the third quarter. Meanwhile, the five largest companies continued to account for approximately 75% of total wagers, suggesting that the main changes in traffic distribution are occurring among operators competing for the leading positions.

The findings point to a substantial but temporary increase in betting activity around major sporting events. Retaining the additional audience after a tournament remains a challenge, and the study did not provide projections for the remainder of 2026.

Peru Considers Increasing Betting Tax to 5%

The findings come as lawmakers consider changes to the taxation of online gambling. In October 2026, lawmaker Luis Aurelio Masco Cáceres, alongside other legislators, proposed raising the ISC rate on online gambling and remote sports betting to 5%.

Estimates accompanying the proposal suggest annual tax revenue could rise from PEN 324 million to PEN 1.62 billion. These figures represent projected revenue rather than guaranteed receipts.

The initiative aims to increase public revenue while strengthening protections for young people and adolescents and helping prevent problem gambling.

The proposed adjustment would change the existing ISC rate rather than introduce a new tax or modify the tax base and other factors governing how the levy is applied. The potential change could affect operators’ business economics as Peru continues to assess the sector’s impact and regulatory framework.