Chile Moves Forward with Online Gambling Regulation

Senate committee approves online betting regulation bill

Chile.- August 6, 2025 – www.zonadeazar.comThe Senate Finance Committee unanimously approved the bill to regulate online gambling platforms. It now moves to a vote in the full Senate. If approved, it will enter the detailed amendment stage in the Economy and Finance Committees.

Key goals: player safety, market competition, tax revenue

The bill aims to:

• Protect users’ health and safety
• Create a competitive and fair gambling environment
• Boost tax collection

It proposes measures like biometric ID checks, payment method blocks, and age restrictions.

Tax concerns and industry feedback

Deputy Finance Secretary Heidi Berner defended the 19% VAT included in the bill, estimating a total tax burden below 28%.

However, Carlos Baeza, legal advisor to the Online Betting Association, argued that high taxes may hinder market regulation:

“Higher taxes lead to fewer regulated operators and unprotected users.”

Studies suggest that a model without VAT, with an average 22% global tax, could increase revenue by 50% and expand player protection by 75%.

“Regulated gambling protects. Regulation isn’t prohibition—it’s prevention.”

🔗 Edited by: @_fonta
🌐 Source: www.zonadeazar.com