Legal Sports Betting Brief: Peru, South Korea, Brazil, Africa

• From regulation and tax shifts in Peru to betting’s digital dominance in Africa, the global sports wagering landscape is evolving fast.
• While some nations expand and embrace the market, others like South Korea are scrambling to manage their risks.

LIMA – While we normally focus on legal sports betting brief on America, developments outside the United States bring the attention this week. From regulatory expansion in Peru to rising concerns over underage gambling in South Korea, here are the biggest legal sports betting headlines in a global sense.

Peru’s Betting Boom: 700 New Licenses and Tax Hike on the Horizon

Peru is emerging as a Latin American gambling powerhouse. Since January 2025, the country has granted 683 new sports betting licenses, part of over 4,500 total gambling permits issued since the country’s regulatory framework kicked in last year.

The Ministry of Foreign Trade and Tourism says its oversight has already shut down 15% of gambling sites in Peru that are unlicensed, reducing play by 40%.

Officials tout this as a blueprint for regional leadership, especially as Peru prepares to raise its betting tax from 0.3% to 1% on July 1.

South Korea Sounds Alarm on Underage Gambling

In South Korea, a spike in underage sports betting is prompting urgent public awareness campaigns. Despite legal sports betting age laws that bar anyone under 19 from betting (and impose prison terms and steep fines for violations), access has surged via mobile apps and social media.

Sports Toto Korea and government agencies are stepping up crackdowns, but officials warn that enforcement alone won’t be enough. Education and prevention campaigns are being scaled, as the country battles a growing youth gambling crisis fueled by technology and curiosity.

Brazil Bets Small but Often: 94% of Wagers Under $20

As Brazil enters its first full year under a regulated market, new data shows 94% of deposits on betting sites are for R$100 or less (about $20 USD). High-value wagers over R$2,500 (about $500 USD) make up less than 0.3% of total bets, according to fintech firm Pay4Fun.

Meanwhile, Pix, Brazil’s instant payment system, accounts for more than 96% of all betting transactions, underlining the importance of sportsbook deposit methods that are available on mobile devices

New figures also show 93% of funds are returned to players, contradicting earlier estimates and underscoring a legal Brazil sports betting market that is bettor-friendly.

East Africa Gambling Google Terms Trending

Sports betting is dominating internet behavior across East Africa, with “betPawa” and “Betika” topping Google searches for Kenya sports betting as well as in Uganda and Rwanda. Fans are placing bets while on streaming platforms, showing heavy engagement.

betPawa deepened its footprint by sponsoring the Dar es Salaam Basketball League in Tanzania, with a deal worth $244,000.

News tags: Africa | Betika | betPawa | Brazil | Dar es Salaam Basketball League | Kenya | Pay4Fun | Peru | Peru Ministry of Foreign Trade and Tourism | Pix | Rwanda | South Korea | Sports Toto Korea | Tanzania | Uganda