Chile government proposes private online gambling licences
Regulation1 min read
The Chilean government sent Senate amendments proposing a licensing and tax regime for private online gambling operators. The package would set five-year licences, 19% VAT on the margin between stakes and winnings, and an additional 3% tax, while restricting advertising, promotional bonuses, deposits and playing time. Transitional licences would let unlicensed platforms continue operating during technical certification and supervisory checks, a model industry representatives said could favour unregulated operators.
Chile's government has sent the Senate amendments proposing licences and taxes for private online gambling operators.
The amendments would establish five-year licences, 19% VAT on the margin between stakes and winnings, and an additional 3% tax. They would ban advertising and promotional bonuses and set default limits on deposits and playing time.
Platforms operating without official licences could seek transitional licences and remain active while undergoing technical certification and regulatory checks. The proposed fees for that status range from a substantial monthly charge to a one-off or periodic payment of about 219 thousand dollars.
The proposals could benefit unregulated operators and jeopardise the sustainability of the regulated casino sector, industry representatives warn. The sector views the latter payment as an effective amnesty for past illegal activity that would reward companies which failed to meet tax and regulatory obligations. Critics also contend that the arrangement would undermine the bill's aim of equal conditions and risk distorting competition against licensed operators.
The bill was first presented in 2022 and has faced several delays.