On August 6, 2025, Chile’s Senate Finance Committee authorised the invoice geared toward regulating on-line playing platforms, a key step in reshaping the nation’s playing sector. The invoice, which had been launched with broad goals in thoughts, was handed with unanimous assist. It now strikes to the following stage of the legislative course of, the place it is going to bear additional scrutiny.
Objectives of the Bill
The bill’s major 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 honest play, and encourage the expansion of authorized platforms akin to Polla de Beneficencia, Lotería de Concepción, casinos, and horse racing. The regulation will even give attention to tax assortment, making certain 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, based mostly on an evaluation by the Superintendency of Gambling Companies (SCJ), the full tax burden—which incorporates 19% VAT—wouldn’t exceed 28%. She additionally harassed that no exceptions can be made to the VAT rule, because it applies uniformly to all digital companies, whether or not native or international.
Path Forward for the Bill
With the approval from the Finance Committee, the invoice will now be voted on within the Senate Chamber. If handed, it is going to enter a section the place amendments could be proposed. The invoice will then proceed by way of the Economy and Finance Committees earlier than being despatched again to the Senate for additional evaluate. The Public Prosecutor’s Office has additionally advocated for the invoice’s alignment with efforts to fight unlawful playing, making certain that when the business is regulated, unlawful operators could be pursued underneath the regulation.
Strengthening Responsible Gaming
A central function of the invoice is its give attention to accountable gaming. Berner emphasised that one of many major goals is to forestall underage playing, significantly for kids and youngsters. To obtain 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 laws. These instruments will assist make sure that playing is secure, safe, and accessible solely to these of authorized age.
Industry Reactions and Concerns
While the invoice has obtained assist from a big selection of stakeholders, the Online Gambling Platforms Association (aPAL), which represents main operators akin to Betsson, Betano, and Betwarrior, has voiced some considerations. The affiliation expressed warning concerning 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} honest tax system can be important for defending customers whereas encouraging operators to enter the formal market. He said, “The success of this law will be measured by its channeling capacity, its ability to attract players from the unregulated market into a regulated one.”
Further considerations have been raised about provisions within the invoice that appear to offer 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 potential 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.
Moving Forward with Regulatory Progress
As the invoice strikes by way of the legislative course of, each authorities officers and personal sector gamers are intently following its developments. One of the important thing outcomes anticipated from this invoice is the institution of a proper, safe, and aggressive market for on-line playing in Chile. However, how the invoice is finalized will rely upon the decision of vital points, akin to tax charges and honest competitors, in addition to discovering the proper steadiness between business pursuits and shopper safety.
The success of the invoice will rely not solely on the way it regulates operators but in addition 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.
Source:
Comisión de Hacienda del Senado aprobó en general por unanimidad el proyecto de ley para regular las plataformas de apuestas en línea, diarioestrategia.cl, August 6, 2025.
