Despite increasing regulations on sports betting and gambling in Peru, illegal operations continue to thrive. Recent police crackdowns in Huánuco have exposed underground betting establishments operating without authorization from the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Tourism (Mincetur), raising concerns over unregulated gambling activities.
In a notable recent operation, Fiscal Police agents from the Criminal Investigation Department, in coordination with the Public Ministry, raided two illegal betting houses in Amarilis, Huánuco. One of the establishments, Bolitas Sports Betting, was located in a three-story building on Jirón Mariscal Castilla No. 137. The second, identified as Puertas Deportivas, operated in the San Luis sector, specifically on Jirón 14 de Septiembre.
During these raids, officers arrested Pedro Miguel Tacuchi Acosta (30) and Fredy Barrantes Baylón (55) for their alleged involvement in economic crimes. Authorities seized a significant quantity of equipment, including 33 computers, 11 televisions, 26 mice, 27 keyboards, six thermal scanners, and two slot machines in questionable condition.
A few days prior, another similar operation was conducted in the district of Molino in Pachitea province, where two individuals were detained for running unauthorized gambling establishments. The police confiscated additional equipment during this raid, which included 12 computers, 11 mice, three scanners, nine televisions, two thermal printers, and a cash amount totaling 2,966 soles.
Read also: CEsp Discusses New Bills to Restrict Gambling Advertising in Brazil
Peru’s Law No. 31557, amended by Law No. 31806, establishes strict regulations on remote gambling and sports betting aimed at ensuring consumer protection and preventing money laundering. However, illegal gambling houses continue to bypass these regulations, placing bettors at risk of fraud and financial losses.
Although authorities have ramped up enforcement efforts, it remains evident that some individuals are willing to operate outside the law. The ongoing challenge lies in strengthening oversight mechanisms while also educating consumers about the risks associated with engaging in unauthorized gambling sites. Illegal Betting Peru
