The Chilean Senate passed a bill regulating online gambling platforms with 27 votes in favor and 3 against. The bill aims to establish a formal licensing system and strengthen the supervision of illegal operators. It will now be submitted to the Senate Economic and Finance Joint Committee for further review.
The new bill aims to ensure player safety, enhance the transparency of gambling revenues, and align online gambling with other legal forms of gambling such as lotteries and horse racing. The regulations include a national responsible gambling policy, advertising restrictions, and a prohibition on gambling involvement by individuals related to the outcomes of events.
Enforcement measures include blocking payment transactions, restricting access to unlicensed platforms, and imposing criminal penalties for operating or promoting illegal gambling. Notably, the bill has received unanimous support from the Senate Finance Committee.
Licensed operators are required to pay value-added tax, a 20% ad valorem tax, and a 1% additional tax to fund responsible gambling programs. Additionally, a 2% tax on total sports betting revenue is levied to support national sports institutions.
The government notes that illegal operators can apply for a license after a 12-month cooling-off period and must pay a one-time tax based on past revenue and user accounts to promote the regulated development of Chile's gambling market.
