New online gambling tax provides boost to state coffers in Peru
The National Superintendence of Customs and Tax Administration (SUNAT) reported record tax collection figures for February 2025, as revealed by the president of the organisation Víctor Mejía in an interview with Canal N. Notably, S/51 million (US$13.8 million) was collected from the “Tax on Foreign Digital Platforms,” commonly referred to in Peru as the “Netflix Rate.”
However, this amount was complemented by S/5 million (US$1.3million) generated by the new tax applied to online sports betting, which began to be collected in the same month. In total, these two concepts amounted to S/56 million, (US$15million) representing a significant additional income for the state’s coffers.
According to Mejía, this type of tax not only responds to a global trend but also seeks to correct an inequality in the market. Before the implementation of this tax, national streaming services were required to pay the General Sales Tax (IGV), while foreign non-resident platforms were exempt from this obligation. “This levels the playing field,” affirmed the head of SUNAT, highlighting that this measure promotes fairer competition between local and foreign operators.
In response to criticisms and proposals to repeal taxes such as the “Netflix Rate,” Mejía defended the implementation of these measures, arguing that they are aligned with best international practices. According to the president of SUNAT, this type of tax is not only a global trend but also responds to the need to modernize the Peruvian tax system and adapt it to the new dynamics of the digital market.
In December, the Executive Power regulated the application of the Selective Consumption Tax on remote gaming and remote sports betting, as well as the conditions for its compliance. Additionally, it published the regulation of the tax imposed on the profits of companies engaged in online gambling.
