Online Casinos in Chile: Legal Overview for 2024

Everything You Need to Know About the Casino Laws

Gambling activities and businesses are regulated in Chile by the Superintendencia de Casinos de Juego (SCJ), responsible for licensing, oversight, compliance, and administration. While this body is autonomous and has its own legal powers, it constitutes a public service governed by the Senior Public Management System, representing the State.

Land-based gambling activities are permitted, including casinos, when regulated and licensed by the SCJ. But it remains illegal for companies to operate or promote online casinos in Chile. There is no regulatory or licensing framework in Chile for online casinos, and while no laws exist that prevent or penalize citizens from gambling at online casinos, we can’t in good conscience recommend doing so.

In 2008, Decree 1411 passed legislation that does allow Chileans to play online lotteries and some online sports betting, although both activities are only permitted via state-owned monopolies, licensed and regulated by the SJC.

Following numerous legislative debates, Bill 035/2022 was introduced to regulate online gambling in Chile, approved by the Chamber of Deputies in December 2023. However, while this bill does contain concrete proposals that would legalize online casinos, providing a regulatory and licensing framework for the SJC, it has yet to pass through the Senate or become law.

Gambling in Chile

Until such a time that Bill 035/2022 is passed into law by Chilean politicians, operating and promoting online casino gambling remains illegal. However, it does appear that legislative bodies are taking steps in the right direction, seeking to introduce new laws and regulatory powers to cover online gambling.

In the meantime, Chile already boasts some of the most effective licensing and regulation in the world for land-based casinos, with SCJ as the regulatory body. This also extends to government-backed responsible gambling awareness and the national self-exclusion registry.

Based on our own knowledge and experience, and reading the new legislative proposals, Chile will seek to emulate the regulatory and licensing procedures already found in other countries, such as those in Colombia and Spain. Obviously, we will be carefully monitoring any legal changes, informing you here when the new laws and regulations do eventually come into effect.

Gambling History and Future

Chile does have quite an intriguing past when it comes to the legalities of gambling, dating back to when the first casino was opened in 1852. It wasn’t until Law 1528 was introduced in 1902, when betting on horse races became the only legally permitted form of gambling for many years.

Laws covering all forms of gambling became much stricter under the Pinochet regime, but were eventually relaxed in 1986 with legislation to regulate state-owned lotteries. Fast-forward to 2005, Law 19995 brought licensing and regulation for land-based casinos under SCJ oversight. Limited online lottery and online sports betting became legal with Decree 1411 in 2008.

Historically, it’s fair to say that Chile has come a long way in terms of gambling legalities. While the licensing and regulation of land-based casinos is excellent, the South American country has lacked the same legal frameworks for online gambling and particularly, those covering online casinos.

But if and most likely when Bill 035/2022 comes into effect, the landscape for online casinos in Chile will be so much clearer for players. In the meantime, while politicians work out the finer details, we can only wait with eager anticipation of what legislation and regulation will bring.

Conclusion

Thinking about the current situation in Chile, personally, I believe that proper licensing and regulation for online casinos via the SCJ will be a great move. This will provide important consumer protections and safer online gaming environments for Chilean players, increased tax revenues for the state, plus more impetus to promote responsible gambling.

For now, Chileans are fortunate to have some of the best land-based casino regulation in the world, covered by sensible yet stringent licensing policies. We reckon it’s best to make the most of those, rather than risk gambling at online venues that are illegal in Chile. But hopefully, the country will soon have measures in place to make gambling at online casinos just as safe and secure.

Frequently Asked Questions

We have provided a wealth of information in this article, delving into current gambling laws and plans for the future. However, we know that readers often look for specific information about gambling in Chile. Mindful of this, please check our answers to popular queries below, and feel free to reach out if you have any further questions.

Is online gambling in Chile legal?

While there are no laws to prevent Chilean citizens from gambling online, both domestic and overseas gambling companies are prohibited from offering or promoting their services within the country. The only regulated and licensed online gambling available within Chile is via state-backed entities, including Loteria Concepcion for lottery tickets and instant games, Polla Chilena for the football pools, and Teletrak Chile for horse racing bets.

Can I bet on sports from Chile?

The only regulated and licensed online sports betting options are Polla Chilena and Teletrak Chile. Offshore betting websites are prohibited from offering their services, although no laws exist to prevent Chileans from wagering at such online venues.

When will online casinos be legal in Chile?

Hopefully, online casinos will be legal and regulated in the next few years. Bill 035/2022 was approved by the Chamber of Deputies in 2023, but requires further approval by the Senate. This bill aims to provide the legislative frameworks to legalize, regulate, and license online gambling in Chile.