Peru’s consumer protection authority has opened 13 preliminary investigations into gambling advertising distributed by influencers, widening enforcement of the country’s regulated online betting framework during the 2026 World Cup.
The investigations were initiated by the Technical Secretariat of Indecopi’s Commission for the Supervision of Unfair Competition between March and June.
Officials are assessing whether the promoted platforms are authorized by the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Tourism, known as Mincetur and whether the content meets advertising disclosure requirements.
Under Legislative Decree No. 1044, commercial content must be clearly distinguishable from entertainment, news or personal opinion.
Influencers are therefore required to disclose paid promotions through visible identifiers such as #Advertising rather than presenting operator endorsements as independent content.
Separate obligations under Law No. 31557 and its regulations require gambling advertisements to display a legible warning that excessive remote gaming and sports betting can cause gambling addiction.
Advertising for platforms that have not received Mincetur authorization is prohibited.
Indecopi said confirmed violations could lead to administrative sanction proceedings against operators or individual influencers. Maximum penalties can reach 700 tax units, equivalent to S/3.85m ($1.12m).
The action illustrates how responsibility for Peru’s online gambling market is divided across public bodies. Mincetur regulates platform authorization, technical compliance and gambling operations, while Indecopi oversees whether advertising practices mislead consumers or conceal their commercial purpose.
Peru’s regulated framework took effect in February 2024 following the approval of Supreme Decree No. 005-2023-MINCETUR. It introduced operator authorization, player registration, access controls and a 12% tax on net gaming revenue. Mincetur also gained powers to request the blocking of unauthorized websites and applications.
The World Cup has increased the visibility of betting promotions across digital channels, where social media personalities can provide operators with direct access to younger audiences. Indecopi’s review indicates that authorization checks and responsible gambling disclosures are becoming part of the same enforcement process rather than being treated as separate licensing and advertising matters.
Peru’s expanding market has also increased operational pressure on licensed platforms. Mincetur data showed gaming and betting revenue of PEN419.5m ($123m) between January and November 2025, while 54 technology platforms had received authorization under the regulated framework.
Peru’s rules prohibit minors and people registered with gambling addiction restrictions from participating in remote gambling
