Chile Extends Online Betting Bill Amendment Deadline to 26 October
Chile.- 22 October 2026 | www.zonadeazar.com Chile’s Senate has extended the deadline for submitting amendments to legislation regulating online gambling and sports betting until Monday, 26 October 2026, at 12:00 noon.
The decision allows further legislative negotiations and additional proposals to modify the bill, which is currently undergoing its second stage of parliamentary consideration.
The original deadline expired on 16 October, but disagreements concerning the Government’s proposed amendments prompted a further period of discussion.
Disagreements Within the Government
According to reports concerning the negotiations, differences emerged between the Ministry General Secretariat of the Presidency (Segpres) and the ministries responsible for advancing the legislation.
The Finance, Economy, Justice and Health Ministries had prepared proposed amendments.
However, government sources claimed that Segpres subsequently altered the wording without obtaining the approval of the other ministries.
Segpres rejected that account, explaining that the Government had decided to continue technical discussions and consultations to reach the necessary agreements.
Online Betting Regulation Remains Under Discussion
Claudio Alvarado, Chile’s Vice-President, acknowledged that online betting regulation has been debated in Congress for an extended period.
He noted that the legislation is currently in its second stage in the Senate and that discussions resumed after several months of inactivity.
The extended deadline will allow further observations and proposed amendments before the legislative process continues.
The extension does not constitute approval of the legislation or independently change the legal status of online betting platforms.
Proposal Introduces Prison Sentences of Up to 15 Years
Separately, Senate President Paulina Núñez has introduced a substitute amendment designed to strengthen penalties against those promoting illegal betting operations.
The proposal includes:
- Prison sentences of up to 15 years in certain aggravated cases.
- Fines of up to 10,000 Monthly Tax Units (UTM).
- Criminal liability for companies involved in unlawful activities.
- Permanent court-ordered blocking of websites, applications and channels used for illegal betting.
- Mechanisms to extend restrictions to replacement platforms designed to circumvent existing blocks.
The initiative aims to strengthen enforcement against illegal gambling and improve consumer protection.
These measures remain under legislative consideration and have not yet become enforceable penalties through the proposed amendment.
Next Steps and Industry Impact
The new deadline for submitting amendments is 26 October.
Following that date, the Senate will continue reviewing the proposals as part of the legislative process.
For Chile’s iGaming industry, the extension represents another period of regulatory uncertainty, while also providing an opportunity to clarify the conditions of a future licensed market.
The debate will focus on establishing clear rules for operators, effective player protection mechanisms and stronger enforcement against illegal betting platforms.
Editó: @fonta
