Latin American Licenses - Brazil, Peru, Colombia
Why these three countries
Brazil, Peru and Colombia are key entry points into Latin America, but their patterns differ. Colombia was the first to launch a full-fledged online gambling mode and remains the most "debugged." Peru has consolidated uniform rules and is actively increasing control. Brazil is the region's most capacious market, where modern oversight is rapidly building with a focus on payments and advertising.
Brazil: "scale + payment discipline"
Who regulates. Federal level (Ministry of Finance/Profile Betting and Gaming Department). States are important for ground infrastructure, but online verticals are overseen by the center.
What is allowed.
Online: Fixed sports betting and virtual events; within the regime, casino games are also allowed from licensed operators.
Offline: activity depends on local permits and separate federal framework for lotteries/draws.
Licensing (high-level).
The applicant demonstrates the origin of the funds and the structure of the beneficiaries (fit & proper).
The platform and content undergo technical audit: RNG/RTP, version control, round/payment logs, BCP/DR.
Local data/support processes and contracts with payment providers are mandatory.
Payments and AML.
PIX's national payment ecosystem is a must-have for local conversion.
KYC before withdrawal (often pre-game): documentary verification of identity and age.
TAC/crypto tracing in use; segregation of client funds and incident reporting.
Advertising and affiliates.
Hard "18 +," mislead ban, creative and sponsorship restrictions, transparent bonus T & C.
Special attention is paid to the responsible tone in sports broadcasts and digital inventory.
RG (Responsible Gambling).
Self-exclusion and limits (deposit/rate/time), "cool-off."
Mandatory warnings, links to help, support training.
Who fits. Large and medium international brands with strong payment and marketing discipline; B2B platforms ready for local onboarding of providers.
Peru: "uniform rules and clear processes"
Who regulates. The Central Tourism and Foreign Trade Regulator (Mincetur) oversees the online market and part of offline processes.
What is allowed.
Online: casino games, slots, bets - subject to license and certified content.
Offline: casinos and gaming halls by permits; separate requirements for slot parks and their audits.
Licensing (high-level).
Direct license for operators, separate permits/registration for critical service providers (platform/hosting/content).
RNG/RTP certification, build version control, unchangeable logs, integration act.
Local representative offices/responsible persons, contracts with payment providers.
Payments and AML.
KYC/AML and suspicious transaction reporting; availability of local payment methods (banks, wallets).
Segregation of client funds and SLA by inference.
Advertising and bonuses.
A ban on misleading promises, strict marking of "18 +," transparent conditions for bonuses (vager, terms, contribution of games).
RG.
Self-exclusion, limits, timeouts, visible tools in the office; hotlines and the aid section.
Who fits. Operators who expect a stable regime with an understandable cost of ownership and predictable audits; B2B aggregators and content studios.
Colombia: "first, mature, predictable"
Who regulates. Coljuegos is the national regulator and licensor (online and part of offline).
What is allowed.
Online: casino games (including slots, live), sports betting, virtual and board games - from licensed operators.
Offline: land-based casinos and gaming halls by local permits and in coordination with Coljuegos.
Licensing (high-level).
Concessions/licenses for a fixed period with reporting obligations and payments to the state.
Platform/content certification, version control and logging, independent audits.
Mandatory local support channels and dispute resolution mechanisms.
Payments and AML.
Settlements through banking channels and local providers; KYC before withdrawal, risk models, incident log.
Segregation of funds and regular reconciliations with Coljuegos reporting.
Advertising and affiliates.
"18 +," mislead inhibit, transparent T&C; oversight of creatives and sponsorships.
Requirements for placing warnings and limiting targeting to vulnerable groups.
RG.
Self-exclusion and limit tools, visible assistance contacts, staff training, RG KPIs.
Who fits. Those who value mature supervision practices, sustainable relationships with banks and clear technical requirements; strong B2C brands and B2B providers.
Mode comparison - short
Licensing roadmaps (simplified)
Brazil
1. Structure & people: fit & proper beneficiaries and key-functions (Compliance, MLRO, InfoSec, RG).
2. Politicians: AML/KYC/KYT, RG, information security/privacy, IRP, BCP/DR; personnel training.
3. Technique: platform/content certification (RNG/RTP), version control, unchangeable logs, anomaly monitoring.
4. Payments: integration with PIX and local providers, segregation of funds.
5. Marketing: anti-mislead, 18 +, sponsorship rules.
6. Post-supervision: reporting, audits, recertification of updates.
Peru
1. Operator request + (if necessary) registration of B2B-critical suppliers.
2. Content certification and integration acts, logs/telemetry.
3. Implementation of RG tools and support/output SLAs.
4. Start → periodic reports, pentests, audit of bonuses/advertising.
Colombia
1. Concession package: financial stability, architecture, contracts with providers.
2. Compliance with Coljuegos technical standards: RNG/RTP, version control, logs.
3. Payment Setup, KYC/KYT, Funds Segregation.
4. Launch → regular reconciliations, reports, external audits.
Operator's checklist (for all three)
- Transparent beneficiaries, confirmed source of funds.
- Compliance/MLRO/InfoSec/RG-lead assigned, local responsible.
- AML/KYC/KYT and RG policies work in the product (not "on paper").
- RNG/RTP certification, version control, unchangeable round/payment logs.
- Payments: local methods (in Brazil - PIX), segregation of funds, SLA for conclusions.
- Advertising: 18 +, anti-mislead, transparent bonus T&C, affiliate control.
- IRP/BCP, pentests, incident log and corrective actions.
Player checklist
1. There is a license number and the name of the regulator on the site (footer/terms).
2. Limits, timeouts, self-exclusion are available in the office.
3. Bonus terms are transparent: vager, games contribution, timing, bet/withdrawal limits.
4. Providers and integrity information (RTP, certification) are listed.
5. Payments are clear: the presence of a local method (in Brazil - PIX), terms and fees, 2FA.
6. There is a complaint channel and an understandable response time.
Common mistakes and how to avoid them
"Paper compliance." RG/AML tools are declared but do not work in UX → penalties/suspension.
Changes without recertification. Any editing of mathematics/client logic without retesting is a risk of sanctions.
Grey bonuses and aggressive advertising. Hidden winning limits, "easy money" - a direct path to locks.
Weak payment perimeter. No PIX/local methods, delayed conclusions, no segregation - increased complaints and risks.
Insufficient IR/BCP. Incidents without investigation and reporting are reputational losses.
Selection strategy
Rapid scale and marketing in digital channels: Brazil (subject to strict payment and advertising compliance).
A stable regime with clear procedures and predictable oversight: Colombia.
Balanced start and comfortable cost of ownership with good "exportability": Peru.
Three jurisdictions are three styles of regulation. Choosing between Brazil, Peru and Colombia, look not only at the size of the market, but also at the maturity of the processes: payments, RG, technical certification and control of affiliates. The right license is not only a "right to work," but also a trust infrastructure that directly affects conversion, LTV and brand sustainability.