Santiago, Sept. 9, 2025. Chile is still one of the few countries in South America without a clear framework for online casinos, even as neighbors move ahead with legalization and oversight, according to a report highlighted today. The analysis notes that Chile, alongside Bolivia and Ecuador, continues to operate in a regulatory “grey zone” for online gaming.
Legislative efforts have advanced in 2025. On August 4, the Senate’s Finance Committee unanimously approved the government’s bill to regulate online betting platforms (Boletín N° 14838-0), opening the door for full Senate debate. The Ministry of Finance confirmed that the full Senate later approved the bill “in general,” sending it to article-by-article discussion in the Economy and Finance committees.
Chilean Senate advances online betting regulation bill with unanimous support
Key parameters under discussion include a licensing fee of US$74,000 and contributions of up to 23% of Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR) channeled to taxes, sports funding, and responsible gambling programs. The initiative would also strengthen oversight by the Superintendence of Casinos (SCJ), the Financial Market Commission (CMF), and the Internal Revenue Service (SII).
Regional context underscores the urgency: Colombia has operated a regulated online market for years, while Brazil’s framework took major steps forward in 2025, with authorities pointing to expected fiscal gains and consumer protections. Analysts warn that Chile risks ceding competitiveness—and potential tax revenue—if it lags behind licensed markets.
What’s next: With approval “in general” secured, lawmakers must finalize tax rates, advertising limits, player-protection tools, and enforcement against unlicensed sites before a final vote and implementation. Until then, Chile’s online casino activity remains largely unregulated, leaving consumers and operators in a holding pattern.
