Gonzalo Rosell, President of the Peruvian Association of Online Sports Betting and Related Activities (APADELA), has addressed the challenges faced by Peru’s online gaming sector in 2025.
Speaking to Yogonet, Rosell highlighted the detrimental effects of the Selective Consumption Tax (ISC) and urged the incoming government to better understand the industry’s needs.
In 2025, APADELA’s members, representing the leading online operators, encountered significant hurdles due to new taxes. The tax framework, effective from January 1st, imposed a 12% Special Tax on GGR and an additional ISC on each bet. This dual taxation created unsustainable financial conditions, pushing some operators towards closure and inadvertently benefiting illegal operators who evade taxes and regulations.
The most significant development was legislative efforts to redefine the ISC’s taxable base to align with the 12% Special Tax. The ISC rate was temporarily reduced from 1% to 0.3% until June, providing brief relief. However, the burden resumed from July, reinforcing the need for further adjustments. Rosell hopes the rate reduction will continue until tax transfer mechanisms are improved.
Looking ahead to 2026, APADELA seeks corrections to the ISC to prevent the dismantling of the formal industry. There is also a call for stricter enforcement against unlicensed operators who neither follow regulations nor contribute taxes.
With Peru’s elections approaching, Rosell urges the new government to grasp the ISC’s impact on the industry, saying that without reforms, the current tax system will inadvertently support illegal gambling, hindering regulation and enforcement in a technology-driven market.
Legislative adjustments are needed to balance tax collection, regulatory compliance and industry sustainability, ensuring a fair competitive landscape for legal operators.
