SPORTS BETTING
Chile – Ban on sports betting advertising takes another step forward
By James - 24 April 2023
Chile’s lower house has given the go ahead to the bill that prohibits sports betting advertising. The initiative was presented by Deputy Marco Antonio Sulantay.
“This shows that parliamentarians are aware that it is a problem that we must regulate and take care of it. Especially, because it is not acceptable that the million-dollar profits produced by betting platforms, which by the way are illegal in Chile, depend on the results of their clients, which in this case are the sports clubs that have signed advertising contracts,” Sulantay said.
The lawmaker added that “the activity carried out by these platforms is illegal in Chile. Here, gambling is prohibited, except in the exceptional cases indicated by law. However, these companies have signed million-dollar contracts, becoming sponsors of practically all of Chilean football”.
In December 2022 The Chamber of Deputies unanimously approved Deputy Sulantay’s ban on the advertising of sports betting. The ban was approved in general terms with 118 votes in favour, one against and three abstentions. The bill was then approved by the Sports Commission and went for another vote in the house last week where it was approved again by a large majority (107 for 15 against).
Regarding the future of the project, Sulantay said that it would go to the Senate where he said he hoped senators would pass the bill promptly.
Lawyer Carlos Baeza representing Betano, Betsson, Coolbet, and LatamWin which are all present via advertising in Chilean football said it was a step in the wrong direction.
“The progress of this advertising ban project is a bad sign for citizens, because it prevents users from distinguishing between companies that have international licenses and certifications from those that do not meet minimum operating standards.
“The project moves away from the global and regional trend in which top-level mega sporting events such as the recent FIFA World Cup, the Copa Libertadores, Copa Sudamericana and others, have advertising from online betting platforms,” he said.
The project proposes the prohibition of any contract between online betting platforms with sports organizations, whether professionals, clubs, associations, foundations, federations and others. Another article of the initiative prohibits the advertising and sponsorship of the platforms in relation to sport, “whatever the medium or support by which it is transmitted or published, and whatever the time or event in which it is advertised or sponsored.” In addition, it prohibits the advertising of these platforms via jersey sponsorships and in any sports venue.
