Chile Opens Tender To Operate Casino In Puerto Varas
Chile.– 12 January 2026 – www.zonadeazar.com Chile’s Superintendence of Gaming has scheduled the formal
presentation of technical and economic bids to operate the Puerto Varas casino. The process launches a high-stakes competition that will reshape a key gaming destination in the country’s south.
Overview
The Puerto Varas licence is one of the most coveted regional gaming assets in Chile.
The SCJ announced that applicants will submit sealed bids on 19 January 2026 in a public session held in Santiago.
Successful proposals must combine operational strength, financial guarantees and workforce retention, reflecting Chile’s regulated approach to casino operation.
Details / Context
Key requirements include:
- In-person submission at the SCJ headquarters
- Separate technical and economic envelopes
- Up to 120 business days for evaluation
- Binding commitment to retain most existing staff
- Compliance with gaming laws and infrastructure mandates
Winning operators will receive a 15-year concession to run all authorised categories: table games, electronic slots, bingo and dice — plus hospitality and service components required under local regulation.
Puerto Varas is more than a casino destination.
It is a tourist hub that benefits from maritime, cultural and gastronomic traffic, and casino activity plays a measurable role in local GDP, job creation and seasonal activity.
Key Themes
- Licences as scarce and strategic assets
- Growing role of tourism-linked development
- Regulation as a competitive filter
- Employment protection embedded in concessions
- Signals of internationalisation in Chile’s market
The job-retention clause (minimum 80% of existing workforce) highlights a regulatory framework that balances investment with community protection.
This approach may become a reference for other Latin American jurisdictions.
Future Outlook
Industry stakeholders anticipate strong bids.
Puerto Varas has brand equity and operational maturity, making it a prime venue for innovation in:
- Integrated resorts
- Destination marketing
- Hybrid entertainment concepts
- Responsible gaming and CSR programmes
- Data-driven loyalty ecosystems
The adjudication may act as a bellwether for Chile’s broader casino renewal cycle.
As licences mature and expire, competition is expected to intensify among multinational operators and regional groups.
The decision on this concession will shape the gaming landscape of southern Chile for the next 15 years — and likely influence policy discussions nationwide.
🔗 Edited by: @_fonta www.zonadeazar.com