Chilean authorities have intensified their crackdown on illegal gambling, seizing 70 unauthorized gaming machines during a high-profile raid in the municipality of Estación Central. The operation, conducted by local inspectors and Carabineros de Chile, targeted an unlicensed venue suspected of offering unregulated slot-style games.
This raid follows a series of similar enforcement actions across Santiago, where clandestine gambling establishments have grown in number despite increasing regulatory scrutiny. Estación Central mayor Felipe Muñoz emphasized the municipality’s zero-tolerance policy: “We’re committed to eradicating illegal gambling operations that exploit vulnerable populations and evade regulation.”
The operation was part of an ongoing collaboration between municipal governments and law enforcement to curb unauthorized betting activities, which often bypass Chile’s stringent gaming laws. Officials highlighted that these illegal venues not only pose fiscal risks—by avoiding tax and licensing obligations—but also raise concerns around money laundering and public safety.
Chilean authorities crack down on illegal casino linked to organized crime in Santiago
Estación Central mayor Felipe Muñoz
Sources report that over the past 12 months, multiple raids have led to the confiscation of more than 500 gaming machines throughout the capital. Public prosecutors are currently evaluating charges against the operators of the Estación Central facility, and several suspects have already been identified.
The raid sends a clear message as Chile prepares for broader legislative reforms in its gambling sector. With debates over online gaming regulation and tax structures ongoing in Congress, authorities aim to reassert legal oversight and protect responsible gaming practices in both physical and digital spaces.
