Chile collected nearly US$72 million in taxes from land-based casinos between January and April 2026, while five digital operators formed an association to push for online gambling regulation after more than two years of congressional delays.
The figures cover 25 casinos; 22 operate under Law 19,995 and three retain municipal concessions. During the first quarter alone, these properties generated CLP136.19 billion (US$153.5 million) in gross gaming revenue, representing a nominal year-on-year decline of 6.2%.
Casino visits fell 16.2% to 1,498,586, compared with 1,788,327 a year earlier. However, average spending per visit increased from CLP80,079 to CLP91,264 (US$103).
Between January and March, the industry paid CLP47.96 billion (US$52.7 million) in taxes; CLP20.96 billion came from the specific gaming tax, CLP20.16 billion from VAT and CLP6.85 billion from admission taxes. The four-month total of almost US$72 million indicates approximately US$19 million in additional April contributions.
The Superintendency of Gambling Casinos, temporarily headed by Eduardo Cáceres Guzmán and overseen by the Ministry of Finance under Jorge Quiroz Castro, regulates slot machines, roulette, blackjack, baccarat, poker, dice and bingo. The specific gaming tax is divided equally between regional governments and casino-hosting municipalities.
Sandra Kemp
Meanwhile, Betano, Betsala, Estelarbet, Juegalo and Novibet announced the creation of the Responsible iGaming Association on July 29. Executive Director Sandra Kemp called for licensing, player-identification controls, protection of minors, anti-money-laundering safeguards and clear advertising rules.
The association estimates that Chilean online gambling generates US$625 million in annual GGR and could reach US$1.45 billion by 2030. Bill 14.838-03, approved by the Chamber of Deputies on December 12, 2023, and backed in principle by the Senate in a 27–3 vote, faces more than 570 amendments. The framework under discussion includes a 20% GGR tax, 19% VAT, a 1% responsible-gambling contribution and a 2% sports levy.
