On August 6, 2025, Chile’s Senate Finance Committee accepted the invoice aimed toward regulating on-line playing platforms, a key step in reshaping the nation’s playing sector. The invoice, which had been launched with broad aims in thoughts, was handed with unanimous assist. It now strikes to the subsequent stage of the legislative course of, the place it would endure additional scrutiny.
Targets of the Invoice
The invoice’s main objectives embrace safeguarding public well being and security for gamblers, fostering a aggressive market, and growing the transparency of funds utilized in on-line playing platforms. By establishing a proper regulatory framework, the federal government intends to guard customers, guarantee truthful play, and encourage the expansion of authorized platforms resembling Polla de Beneficencia, Lotería de Concepción, casinos, and horse racing. The regulation will even deal with tax assortment, guaranteeing that gambling-related revenues contribute to the general public sector.
In response to considerations raised by business representatives, Undersecretary of Finance Heidi Berner clarified the invoice’s tax framework. Berner revealed that, primarily based on an evaluation by the Superintendency of Playing Firms (SCJ), the full tax burden—which incorporates 19% VAT—wouldn’t exceed 28%. She additionally burdened that no exceptions could be made to the VAT rule, because it applies uniformly to all digital providers, whether or not native or overseas.
Path Ahead for the Invoice
With the approval from the Finance Committee, the invoice will now be voted on within the Senate Chamber. If handed, it would enter a section the place amendments might be proposed. The invoice will then proceed by the Financial system and Finance Committees earlier than being despatched again to the Senate for additional evaluation. The Public Prosecutor’s Workplace has additionally advocated for the invoice’s alignment with efforts to fight unlawful playing, guaranteeing that when the business is regulated, unlawful operators might be pursued below the regulation.
Strengthening Accountable Gaming
A central function of the invoice is its deal with accountable gaming. Berner emphasised that one of many main aims is to forestall underage playing, notably for kids and youngsters. To attain this, the invoice proposes a number of measures, together with biometric identification techniques, cost technique restrictions, and the power to block platforms that fail to adjust to the brand new rules. These instruments will assist be certain that playing is secure, safe, and accessible solely to these of authorized age.
Business Reactions and Considerations
Whereas the invoice has acquired assist from a big selection of stakeholders, the On-line Playing Platforms Affiliation (aPAL), which represents main operators resembling Betsson, Betano, and Betwarrior, has voiced some considerations. The affiliation expressed warning in regards to the potential tax burden, arguing that extreme taxation may discourage operators from shifting from an unregulated to a regulated market. Carlos Baeza, a consultant of aPAL, emphasised {that a} truthful tax system could be important for shielding customers whereas encouraging operators to enter the formal market. He acknowledged, “The success of this regulation shall be measured by its channeling capability, its skill to draw gamers from the unregulated market right into a regulated one.”
Additional considerations had been raised about provisions within the invoice that appear to present Polla de Beneficencia an unfair benefit. The group believes that this provision would exempt Polla from sure technical necessities imposed on different operators, resulting in attainable market imbalances. aPAL additionally criticized retroactive taxes on present operators, warning that such measures may hinder the transition to a regulated market, contradicting constitutional norms and disrupting enterprise continuity.
Transferring Ahead with Regulatory Progress
Because the invoice strikes by the legislative course of, each authorities officers and personal sector gamers are carefully following its developments. One of many key outcomes anticipated from this invoice is the institution of a proper, safe, and aggressive marketplace for on-line playing in Chile. Nevertheless, how the invoice is finalized will depend upon the decision of essential points, resembling tax charges and truthful competitors, in addition to discovering the correct steadiness between business pursuits and shopper safety.
The success of the invoice will rely not solely on the way it regulates operators but additionally on how successfully it channels gamers from the unregulated market to 1 the place their security and safety are prioritized. The invoice’s ongoing debates will doubtless proceed to affect the way forward for on-line playing in Chile.
Supply:
Comisión de Hacienda del Senado aprobó en normal por unanimidad el proyecto de ley para common las plataformas de apuestas en línea, diarioestrategia.cl, August 6, 2025.
