Operator News
Chile – Head of Chile Gaming Board reelected
By Phil - 14 March 2014
The head of the Chilean Gaming Board (SJC) Renato Hamel Maturana has been elected to run the board for a second term after a public competition run by the Chilean National Civil Service. Renato Hamel Maturana, who was first elected to his post in 2012 and replaced Francisco Javier Leiva, thanked the others members of the board for their efforts under his administration and for their efforts so far.
“The spirit of cooperation and professionalism that I found amongst the team of the board has allowed us to fully carry out our mission to regulate and control the gaming and casino industry as well as promoting its development while ensuring respect and faith amongst the public,” he said.
The head of the gaming board also stated the policy of working closely with operators will continue as will dialogue saying that: “The collaborative way of working, based on continuous dialogue is strategic, enabling the harmonious development of the industry in operational, technological, risk assessment and legal areas as well as customer relations.”
Before assuming his role in the SJC Mr. Maturana, served as Intendant of Supervision of Public and Private Providers in the Superintendence of Pensions. He has as a Bachelor Degree in Business Administration from the University of Chile and MBA studies from the Adolfo Ibáñez University.
One of the biggest challenges that the SJC faces this year is the process of granting a new licence: a fact which Mr. Maturana highlighted in his acceptance speech. The Resolution Council of the Chilean Gaming Control Board has announced that starting in January 2014 it will 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 SJC has announced that 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 after the operator blamed bad market conditions as well as the location of the casino for its decision to close.
