Operator News
Chile – Chilean GGR down by 20 per cent
By Phil - 12 February 2014
The Chilean Gaming Control Board (SCJ) has reported that gross gaming income generated by the 17 casinos licenced in Chile stood at US$ 594.8m in 2012 and US$ 479m in 2013; a 19.5 per cent year on year decrease.
The industry also reported a significant decrease in visitor numbers with visitors falling by 17.3 per cent.
In terms of gross gaming income generated by the casinos, in 2013 the Monticello Grand Casino came in first place with 27.3 per cent of the market and GGR of US$ 130.7m, in second place was Casino Rinconada with 12.6per cent and US$ 60.4m and Marina del Sol came in third with 11. 6 per cent and US$ 55.7m in revenue.
Enjoy Antofagasta with 9.3 per cent of the market brought in US$44.7m. Dreams Temuco made up seven per cent of the Chile casino sector generating US$ 33.4 m in GGR along the way. Dreams Punta Arenas accounted for 5.2 per cent with revenue of US$24.9m. The decline in revenues has been partly attributed to the sharp rise in illegal gaming which has become an increasingly significant issue of late. It is estimated that there could be as many as 150,000 illegal slot machines located in slot parlours with a further 50,000 slot machines located in small businesses and shops. Known locally as ‘casinos of the people’ or ‘neighbourhood slots’ they have been able to grow so quickly as local governments have not drawn a clear line between slot machines and Skill with Prizes Machines. The industry has also been affected by a smoking ban which has forced some operators to install slot machines in outdoor areas where players can play and smoke at the same time.
Despite the fall in revenues the casino industry continues to generate considerable revenue for both the local and state government. The 17 municipalities and 11 regions where they are located received US$ 79.3m in gaming tax revenue while casinos generated an additional US$33m in tax on entrance fees for the state. On top of this amount the casinos also generated US$77m in gaming VAT.
