Viña del Mar, Chile — In September 2025, the early withdrawal of Enjoy from operating the Viña del Mar casino has left more than 650 workers facing job uncertainty. The superintendence of casinos of Chile approved Casino del Mar S.A.’s request to relinquish its operating permits ahead of schedule, despite the workforce having already dropped from around 1,200 to fewer than 600 employees. The governor of Valparaíso, Rodrigo Mundaca, has strongly opposed this early exit, calling for explicit guarantees of job continuity in the forthcoming licensing process.
What is it and what Enjoy’s early resignation of the casinos of Coquimbo and Pucón implies
Governor Mundaca emphasized that “our priority remains defending workers’ rights and ensuring that the new concessionaire assumes responsibility for the entire existing workforce.” He also highlighted the regional economic impact, stating, “beyond employment, this situation threatens local economic stability and municipal revenue streams,” underlining the broader ramifications for the Valparaíso region.
According to article 4 of Chile’s labor code, employment contracts—both individual and collective—must be maintained when concessions are transferred. However, union leaders warn that this legal framework lacks sufficient protections against possible misinterpretations that could undermine workers’ rights. They are pressing for explicit workforce protection clauses to be included in the new bidding terms.
The significant reduction in casino staff has raised alarms among stakeholders about consequences for the Valparaíso job market and municipal finances. Moreover, labor uncertainty has increased operational risks to the region’s gaming sector, potentially affecting investor confidence as the licensing process extends toward its 2028 conclusion.
