Chile’s gaming board clarifies court’s dismissal of case against online operators
Manuel Zárate Campos, the head of the Legal Division of the Superintendence of Gaming Casinos (SJC) has clarified the implications of the Prosecutor’s Office decision to close the investigation into seven online gambling platforms. Initiated in 2022, the investigation aimed to declare online gambling platforms illegal in Chile, prompted by a complaint from operators in the land-based sector, including the lottery operator Polla Chilena de Beneficencia, and national casinos. The investigation concluded without sanctions or prohibitions.
In a letter to the editor published in the local newspaper La Tercera, Zárate Campos outlined why they maintain that the court’s decision does not render the operation of online betting platforms legal.
“We reiterate what has been stated on several occasions. In Chile, the exploitation of games of chance is illegal unless specifically authorized by law, and there is currently no legal framework that allows the operation of online betting platforms, including those implicated in the respective criminal investigation.
“A bill aimed at legalizing and regulating online betting platforms is currently under consideration. This bill has already been approved in general by the Senate Economic Commission and is awaiting further processing.
“It is important to highlight that the jurisprudence of the Third Chamber of the Supreme Court, effective since 2023, has explicitly established the illegality of online betting platforms. These platforms operate without paying taxes, without a responsible gaming policy, and without mechanisms to protect minors. This illegality can only be remedied through the approval of the aforementioned bill by the National Congress,” he wrote.
The court’s ruling follows a prior rejection by the 8th Civil Court of Santiago on April 4, which had denied a request to extend the investigation timeline. The matter is set to be closed in a final hearing scheduled for July.
