Manuel San Román Benavente, former General Director of Casino Games and Slot Machines of Peru and an outstanding specialist in the gaming sector in Latin America, died at the age of 74 in the city of Lima.
It was reported that his passing was due to health complications resulting from a COVID-19 infection. During the past week, his relatives and friends held a religious ceremony in his memory.
San Román Benavente assumed as regulator of the gaming sector in Peru in 2006 and served until March 2022, when he was replaced by Eduardo Sevilla Echevarría. During his administration, the Directorate of Casino Games and Slot Machines promoted a process of formalization of the land-based sector, which had an impact on the reduction of illegal gaming and the increase of tax collection.
He participated in several webinars organized by Yogonet, and in on-site editions of the EY! Yogonet meeting in Buenos Aires. At the beginning of 2024, he became the new Compliance Director of Apuesta Total, a Peruvian sports betting operator.
In his last interview with Yogonet, the former Peruvian regulator highlighted that the authorities of the country had achieved the regulation of iGaming in 2023 and warned that it would be “a great challenge” to launch the authorization and registration processes for the operators seeking an operating license.
“The balance of 2023 for the gaming industry in Peru is successful because, after several years, it has been achieved to have a Law and Regulation that allows regulating the operation of remote gaming and sports betting, which gives a margin for good investments, transparency of the games, responsible gaming policies, self-exclusion registration, taxes and above all a fair competition among the companies,” he said.
In social networks and reference groups, the news caused a strong commotion, and hundreds of voices expressed their sadness. From the editorial staff of Yogonet, we will remember him as a fundamental man in the professionalization and regulation of the sector in Latin America, and as a great friend who unfortunately we will no longer be able to share talks or consult frequently. We salute his family and hope that the pain of his departure will be compensated with the memory of all he did, inside and outside the industry.