Santiago, Chile, November 10, 2026. The Senate Economic Affairs Committee approved two amendments on November 9 seeking to ban online betting, in a vote of three in favor, one against, and one abstention, while a nationwide survey revealed that 63.5% of respondents favor regulating online gambling platforms, compared with 30.8% who support a ban.
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The proposals were introduced by Paulina Núñez, President of the Senate, and Senators Gastón Saavedra, Chairman of the committee, and Diego Ibáñez. They seek to prohibit the operation, offering, and advertising of online betting, block domains and payment channels, and impose criminal penalties.
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Gastón Saavedra
Núñez's proposal provides for aggravated penalties of up to 15 years in prison. The amendment introduced by Saavedra and Ibáñez establishes prison sentences ranging from 541 days to five years and fines of 200 to 1,000 Monthly Tax Units (UTM), exempting authorized activities operated by Polla Chilena, Lotería de Concepción, racetracks, and land-based casinos.
Meanwhile, Universidad San Sebastián surveyed 1,024 people across 178 municipalities and 16 regions between October 9 and 26. 98.6% supported identity verification and fraud prevention measures, 95.3% favored taxation, 89.9% backed deposit limits, and 84.5% supported funding for gambling addiction prevention.
Diego Ibáñez
The government of President José Antonio Kast, represented by Deputy Finance Minister Sebastián Vallebona, submitted amendments to Bill No. 14,838-03 on October 26, proposing five-year licenses and a 22% tax burden: 19% VAT plus a 3% specific tax on gross gaming revenue (GGR). The proposed framework requires an annual licensing fee of 1,000 UTM, minimum capital of 5,000 UTM, a transitional authorization fee of 3,000 UTM, and an advertising ban, under the supervision of the Superintendence of Gaming Casinos (SCJ).
Meanwhile, the Undersecretariat of Telecommunications (Subtel) is enforcing court-ordered domain blocks, while the Internal Revenue Service (SII) administers tax obligations under Resolution No. 69 issued in June. The amendments are expected to be consolidated during the week of November 16. The bill remains in its second stage of constitutional legislative review, with neither a general ban nor new online gambling licenses enacted.
