Chile has opened three simultaneous fronts across its gambling industry; VAT collection from international platforms, the continuation of four casino licensing processes and a new lawsuit against Dreams’ casino development in Talca.
The Internal Revenue Service (SII) began requiring foreign operators serving Chilean customers to pay 19% digital VAT. After announcing that it would apply a reverse-charge mechanism to unregistered companies from July 15, 2026, 25 platforms joined the simplified tax regime between July 14 and 15.
Exempt Resolution No. 94, dated July 15, identified 10 unregistered operators; bet365, Stars, 1win.com, ElectraWorks, TheLotter, PokerStars, GGPoker, Betcris, LeoVegas and Roobet. Banks and card issuers must withhold the tax from each transaction. The SII, headed by Jorge Trujillo, will use automated controls under the enforcement division led by Carolina Saravia.
Jorge Trujillo
Diego Schalper, a lawmaker from Renovación Nacional, asked the Comptroller General’s Office to review the mechanism’s legality after meeting Comptroller General Dorothy Pérez on July 31. The Ministry of Finance is led by Jorge Quiroz.
Separately, the Competition Tribunal (TDLC), chaired by Nicolás Rojas Covarrubias, rejected motions on July 28 from Marina del Sol, Corporación Meier and Dreams seeking to suspend casino tenders in Iquique, Coquimbo, Viña del Mar and Pucón.
The bid hearing remains scheduled for August 11, 2026, at 10:00 a.m., at the Casino Gaming Superintendency’s offices at Morandé 360 in Santiago. The SCJ launched the processes through resolutions 112, 113, 114 and 115, dated January 23, and amended the rules through resolutions 414, 415, 416 and 418. The National Economic Prosecutor’s Office, led by Jorge Grunberg, found no material competition risks. The SCJ is headed on an acting basis by Eduardo Cáceres Guzmán.
Jorge Grunberg
The third dispute concerns Dreams’ casino in Talca. Casino de Talca filed a criminal complaint alleging environmental offences, false statements and corruption linked to the Parque Ferial del Maule project near the Cajón del Río Claro and Estero Piduco urban wetland.
The filing claims excavations were declared at 1.4 to 1.6 metres, while a notary recorded work approaching 3 metres. A University of Talca report prepared in February 2026 warned of differences between the project assessed and the development being built.
The complainants requested a halt to construction and suspension of the casino, building, SEA and SMA permits. The filing has not established criminal liability and does not automatically stop the project.
