Senate committee greenlights Chile’s online gambling bill
Chile’s Senate Finance Committee has unanimously approved a bill that would regulate the country’s growing online gambling sector.
The bill, which aims to create a legal framework for open competition, now awaits a vote in the Senate Chamber.
The Chamber of Deputies first approved the bill in December 2023, gaining broad support from lawmakers.
Since July, the Finance Committee has held hearings with industry bodies, including major international gambling firms such as Betsson and Betano, as well as local casino operators.
The bill, which has been classified as ‘urgent’, seeks to impose regulatory standards, introduce responsible gaming policies, and level the playing field between online platforms and state-regulated gambling options such as Polla Chilena, Lotería de Concepción, casinos, and horse racing.
During the discussions, Deputy Secretary of Finance Heidi Berner replied to industry concerns about taxation, saying that the effective tax burden on operators would not exceed 28%. However, she added that there would be no exemption from VAT, which applies to all online services.
Berner also focused on responsible gambling measures, including platform blocking, biometric identification, and payment method restrictions, and emphasized that the bill would align with ongoing efforts to clamp down on illegal gambling operations.
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