Chile’s Online Betting Licensing Plan Faces Senate Opposition

Chile’s Senate Economy Committee has approved two amendments that would ban private online betting platforms, challenging the government’s proposed licensing system.

The proposals passed on November 9. Chair Gastón Saavedra said the texts would be merged into one at the next committee session.

The amendment introduced by Senator Saavedra and Senator Diego Ibáñez would prohibit operating, offering, or advertising online betting platforms in the country. It would cover any platform accepting bets from Chile, regardless of where the company is located.

Payment companies would have to stop transactions involving offending platforms, with internet providers and app stores also required to block access and downloads. 

Breaches committed for profit could result in prison sentences of up to five years and fines of 200–1,000 UTM (approx. $14,800–$74,100), Chile’s inflation-linked monthly tax unit.

A separate amendment introduced by Senate President Paulina Núñez and Senator María José Gatica would allow permanent court-ordered blocking of illegal sites and restrict payments and advertising. Aggravated cases, including deliberately targeting minors, could carry up to 15 years in prison and fines of up to 10,000 UTM (approx. $741,000).

The proposals would preserve legally authorized games run by the state lottery Polla Chilena de Beneficencia, Lotería de Concepción, regulated physical casinos, and authorized racetracks.

Senator Matías Walker opposed prohibition, saying: 

The Senate Finance Committee will consider the bill once the Economy Committee finishes its review. It previously cleared the Chamber of Deputies and received the Senate’s approval in principle.