Operator News
Chile Gaming board grants casino license in Natales
By James - 9 May 2024
The Chilean gaming board (SJC) authorized a licence for a casino to the company Casino Patagonia S.A. for the municipality of Natales, Magallanes Region (officially the Magallanes y la Antártica Chilena Region) located in the southernmost part of Chile. This was the third attempt after two failed bids were declared void.
The public hearing was chaired by the Undersecretary of Finance, Ms. Heidi Berner Herrera, in her capacity as President of the Deciding Council, a collegiate body that has the exclusive authority to grant, deny, renew, and revoke casino operating permits in the country, in accordance with Law No. 19,995.
In the case of Casino Patagonia S.A., the economic offer presented was 5,100 UF – the Unidad de Fomento (UF) – the UF is currency unit that is adjusted for inflation. Additionally, as part of the special conditions established in the technical requirements, the company must build a tourist impact project, which represents an investment of at least 3,000 UF.
In October 2022 head of the (SJC) Vivien Villagrán visited Natales to meet with the authorities and start working on the call for bids. In October 2023 the SCJ reported that during the presentation of technical and economic offers that just one project had been presented by Casino Patagonia S.A.
Natales is a city located in the Magallanes Region of Chile, in the southernmost part of the country. It is the capital of the Última Esperanza Province and serves as the gateway to Torres del Paine National Park, a popular destination known for its stunning natural beauty. It is hoped that the casino will boost tourism in the area.
