Puerto Montt, Chile – September 2025. Municipal authorities and Carabineros executed a decisive operation this week, permanently shutting down a clandestine casino in downtown Puerto Montt. The enforcement action, ordered by the Second Local Police Court, resulted in the seizure of 86 slot machines and more than 7 million Chilean pesos in cash.
The casino, located on Calle Egaña, had a long history of non-compliance. It had been closed by municipal decree in 2007 but reopened repeatedly, accumulating 58 prior infractions. According to Public Security Director Soledad Escobar, the latest order mandates the definitive removal of all gaming equipment and prohibits any future reopening.
Mayor Rodrigo Wainraihgt Galilea emphasized that the crackdown reflects a firm stance against illicit gambling. “Lo ilegal e ilícito no se va a permitir en Puerto Montt,” he said, underscoring that the municipality will not tolerate unlicensed operations.
The action was supported by multiple municipal departments, including Patents & Permits, Revenue, Assets, and Operations, in coordination with Carabineros. It follows a similar closure in July of another illegal casino on Calle Urmeneta, which housed more than 50 machines.
Officials stressed that Puerto Montt is now among the Chilean cities with the lowest rates of commercial crime and one of the most aggressive crackdowns on illegal gambling venues. The municipality also cited a new local ordinance banning unauthorized businesses in the downtown core, reinforcing the city’s regulatory framework.
