Online gambling still illegal says Chilean Association of Casinos and Games
The Chilean Association of Casinos and Games (ACCJ) has disputed the Association of Online Betting Platforms’ claim that the activities of online gambling platforms are not illegal.
Earlier this week the Prosecutor’s Office decided to close the investigation initiated in 2022 that sought to declare illegal the online betting houses operating in Chile, following a complaint filed by operators in the land based sector such as lottery operator Polla Chilena de Beneficencia, and national casinos. The investigation concluded without sanctions or prohibitions. According to local media on July 11, 2025 a hearing will be held at the Eighth Court of Guarantee in Santiago to announce that the procedure will not be pursued further. This decision follows the court’s rejection of the prosecutor’s request to extend the investigation period.
The Association of Online Betting Platforms celebrated the resolution and highlighted the need to move towards modern and responsible regulation.
“We reaffirm our full willingness to actively collaborate in the legislative discussion to establish clear rules that safeguard consumer rights and promote the country’s development,” they indicated.
However, in a statement, the ACCJ clarified that: “The Prosecutor’s Office’s decision to ‘not persevere’ in a specific criminal investigation does not make online betting platforms legal. It simply indicates that, in this particular case, no criminal charges will be pursued. This does not equate to an authorization to operate, nor does it eliminate the urgent need to regulate a market that currently operates without controls. There are also other active cases—including investigations for tax crimes—that are ongoing. The Supreme Court, for its part, has rejected requests for dismissal, which confirms that there are sufficient grounds to continue investigating,” they asserted.
The association also warned that “the existence of criminal investigations, combined with the regulatory void, unrestricted promotion in the media, barrier-free access for minors, and the lack of controls over the origin of funds, has eroded public trust in these platforms.”
The association argued that the law should reward compliance, not informality. “We urge that the legislative discussion be based on technical evidence, national jurisprudence, and principles of regulatory equity. Any model adopted must guarantee a legal, competitive, and transparent market,” the entity concluded.
