Legislation

Peru – Rise in popularity of sports betting leads to match fixing bill

By James - 27 November 2023

Congresswoman Susel Paredes presented a bill that would make match fixing a crime according to news agency EFE.  The initiative was presented by the Cambio Democrático-Juntos party with Paredes as the main author of the bill. The aim of the bill is to fill a current gap in Peruvian law as it is only considered to be an infraction under current law.

According to article 197-A: “Anyone who, directly or indirectly, promises, offers or gives an undue advantage with the aim of altering the result or course of a sports competition, will be punished with imprisonment of not less than three nor more than ten years”. This sanction will also apply “to anyone who requests or accepts an improper advantage, promise or offer.”

Harsher penalties will be imposed on players and anyone attached to sports in any professional capacity. This is covered in article 197-B which establishes a custodial sentence of no less than four years.

The development of the measure is due to the increasing popularity of sports betting the growth of which was described as “significant” and “alarming in the bill.  

Regarding the growth of the market the lawmaker included a report compiled by company Attach which focused on the evolution of betting in Peru. The report stated that in 2019 sports betting had the participation of more than two million Peruvians, a figure that rose to 5 million in 2020 and grew to 6 million people in 2021. 90% of bets in Peru were placed on football.  

According to the bill the high participation in betting “dangerously increases the possibility of engaging in illicit acts related to the manipulation of competitions and sports results” and should be prevented with effective deterrent measures.

In October the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Tourism (Mincetur) finally approved the regulations of Law No. 31557 which regulates online gaming and sports betting.