Chile online gambling regulation bill advances
The draft outline of online gambling legislation has received the backing of the Senate Finance Commission
Chile.- The Senate Finance Commission has given its backing to the general framework of a bill that would regulate online gambling in Chile. The initiative will now proceed to a full Senate debate before returning to the committee level for more detailed scrutiny and potential amendments.
The draft legislation seeks to formalise the sector and enhance regulatory oversight. If enacted, it would establish Chile’s first comprehensive regulatory structure for online gambling, bringing it in line with the country’s existing licensed gaming activities, including land-based casinos and horseracing.
Key provisions include safeguards against underage gambling and mechanisms to enforce compliance. The law would enable authorities to take legal action against unlicensed operators once the licensing framework is operational.
Finance undersecretary Heidi Berner confirmed that all online gambling services regardless of their country of origin would be subject to Chile’s standard 19 per cent value-added tax (VAT). She projected that the total fiscal impact on operators would remain under 28 per cent.
Legislators have taken input from the industry, including from operators. The Senate commission has also held hearings with representatives from national lotteries and casino operators, the horseracing sector, and child welfare organisations.
