Chile Advances Online Gambling Regulation Amid Tax Disputes
Chile.- 30 October 2026 | www.zonadeazar.com Chile has revived progress on its long-awaited online gambling regulation after the Government submitted new amendments to the Senate Economic Committee. The proposal would allow private operators to enter through a licensing system, although significant disagreements remain over taxation, advertising and the treatment of companies already operating in the country.
Five-Year Licences
The framework provides for five-year licences for private operators. The amendments submitted by the Executive seek to establish formal supervision for an activity that has operated for years without a dedicated online licensing regime.
New Tax Structure
The proposal would impose 19% VAT on the margin between stakes and winnings, alongside an additional 3% levy. The tax structure has become one of the main areas of disagreement between industry stakeholders.
Advertising and Bonus Restrictions
The bill would also ban advertising and promotional bonuses while introducing default limits on deposits and playing time.
The measures are intended to strengthen consumer protection, although industry representatives warn that overly restrictive rules could make it more difficult to channel players towards licensed operators.
Transitional Licences Cause Controversy
One of the most contentious aspects concerns platforms that have already offered services in Chile without holding a local licence.
The bill would allow these companies to apply for transitional authorisations while completing technical certification and regulatory review.
Dispute Over Market Entry Costs
Proposals for transitional licences include widely different financial requirements, ranging from monthly fees of up to 73,000 UTM to payments of around 3,000 UTM.
Critics argue that lower fees could favour companies that previously operated outside the regulated framework and create an uneven playing field for businesses already meeting Chilean tax obligations.
Land-Based Casinos Call for Equal Treatment
The Asociación de Casinos y Juegos has warned that important differences remain between the tax obligations imposed on land-based casinos and those proposed for online operators.
The association is calling for any market opening to guarantee fair competition and prevent advantages for companies that previously operated without authorisation.
Senate Considers Alternative Models
The legislative debate also includes more restrictive alternatives. Some senators have proposed a complete ban on online gambling, while another initiative would reserve the market exclusively for Polla Chilena de Beneficencia and Lotería de Concepción.
Next Steps
The Senate Economic Committee will continue reviewing the Government’s amendments and the main disputes surrounding taxation, transitional licences, advertising and competition.
The final decision will determine whether Chile adopts an open market for private operators or moves towards a more restrictive model.
Edited by: @fonta
