Operator News

Chile – Four operators apply for Chile’s last licence

Four operators have offered their tender for the remaining casino licence in Chile. Marina del Sol Chillán S.A., Chillán Casino Resort S.A. and Casino de Juegos Chillán S.A have all applied for a licence in the municipality of Chillán in the Biobío region while Casino Luckia Arica S.A. has applied for a licence in the municipality of Arica in the Arica and Parinacota region.

Earlier this year The Resolution Council of the Chilean Gaming Control Board announced that starting in January 2014 it would begin the licensing process for a new casino after Termas de Chillan withdrew from the market in 2013. Operators may now offer their tender provided that the project is not located in the Metropolitan Region of Santiago, is not in a region which already has three casinos and is not located within 70 km from another already existing casino.

The Resolution Council will evaluate proposals put forward by operators and will announce its final decision by the end of July 2014.The SJC officially accepted Termas de Chillan’s withdrawal in November 2013 after the operator blamed bad market conditions as well as the location of the casino for its decision to close.

Four interested parties have now submitted their blue prints for their projects to the SCJ which will now work on due diligence and submit their findings to the Resolution Council who will announce their decision  by July 30 although the body is allowed a further 30 days extra to consider and make its final decision. The new license can be anywhere in Chile and will not be restricted to the Bío Bío region but with certain restrictions in place as laid down by Chile’s gaming act of 1995.