The authorities assured that this is a concerning situation that affects the security of the city.
Chile.- The Municipality of Temuco, in the Region of La Araucanía, continues its crusade against casinos operating without a license in the city. In this regard, the authorities indicated that they have already filed more than 30 lawsuits against these establishments.
In a conversation with Radio Bío Bío, the director of Public Security of the Municipality of Temuco, Israel Campusano, revealed that among some detected situations, there is one venue with "apparently" few machines, but that would have a warehouse full of other games that would be distributed to illegal casinos.
It was also recalled that in 2023, when they tackled the fight against these types of establishments, about 2,000 machines were seized, and the operation was described as the largest in Latin America.
The authorities affirmed that this is a situation that worries and affects the security of the city, as a few days ago a violent assault was recorded at one of these venues in downtown Temuco.
See also: Preventive detention ordered for 6 of the 19 arrested in a massive operation against illegal casinos in Chile
In November 2023, after the Municipality of Temuco launched against illegal casinos, following the raid on 28 illegal gambling venues, the Chilean casino operators accused Mayor Roberto Neira of persecution.
Ernesto Núñez, lawyer representing the owners of the so-called "popular casinos", assured on Radio Bio Bio that there is a "discriminatory treatment" towards them and added that the clandestine casinos - operated by foreign citizens - are still open.
In that sense, Núñez added, in communication with the local media Araucanía Noticias: "Here our clients had licenses for years and co-created with the municipality an ordinance that they continue to comply with. This ordinance restricts them in operating hours, entry of minors, prohibition of selling alcohol, cigarettes, etc. They have always complied, unlike the foreigners who arrived without any documents.”
