Santiago, October 2025 — Chile’s Supreme Court has reaffirmed that online betting and gambling platforms are illegal under current national law, ordering local internet service providers to block access to major international operators such as Betano, Betsson, and Coolbet. The decision has reignited a heated debate between lawmakers, regulators, and industry stakeholders over the need for a modern regulatory framework.
The ruling — the second of its kind in less than two years — stems from ongoing legal actions initiated by the Public Ministry and the Superintendency of Gaming Casinos (SCJ). The Court concluded that online gambling remains unregulated and, therefore, prohibited until Congress passes specific legislation authorizing and taxing such activities.
Prominent lawyer and former prosecutor Carlos Gajardo Pinto welcomed the verdict, calling it “a long-overdue clarification.” He argued that the Ministry of Justice and Congress have been “too lenient with operators that profit from a legal vacuum,” urging authorities to enforce the ban immediately.
The decision puts additional pressure on the Chilean Congress, where a bill to regulate and tax online gaming — originally introduced in 2022 — has been stalled since early 2024. The proposed law seeks to establish licensing mechanisms, tax obligations, and responsible gaming provisions for digital operators.
Industry experts warn that the Supreme Court’s stance could disrupt the local digital betting market, estimated at over $150 million annually, while also affecting sponsorship deals between online gaming brands and Chilean football clubs. Several teams in the Primera División currently maintain partnerships with international betting platforms that may now face suspension.
For now, Chile joins a growing list of Latin American countries struggling to reconcile rapid online gambling expansion with outdated legal frameworks — highlighting the urgent need for comprehensive regulation to ensure transparency, consumer protection, and fiscal accountability.
