Key Highlights
- Revenue from Chile’s authorized land-based casinos decreased by 4.5% in 2025, totaling $597.5 million, while unauthorized online gambling operations expanded to approximately $3.1 billion.
- Physical casino attendance decreased 7.2% and government tax collections from the sector fell 4.7%, with industry groups attributing losses to unregulated digital betting sites.
- Research indicates 26% of young Chileans participated in online wagering during the previous year, with gambling initiation occurring at an average age of 15.5.
- Chile’s highest court mandated that telecommunications companies restrict access to unlicensed gambling platforms, while lawmakers advance two comprehensive regulatory proposals.
- Industry representatives are collaborating with healthcare experts and policymakers to implement educational initiatives and safeguards targeting vulnerable populations.
Authorized Gaming Operators Report Significant Decline
Chile’s legitimate gambling industry continues to experience substantial setbacks. According to the 2025 annual report on Monday released by the ACCJ, the national casino trade organization, licensed operators confronted significant headwinds throughout the year.
Total gaming proceeds from Chile’s 25 legal casinos contracted by 4.5% compared to the previous year, reaching CLP509.8 billion (approximately $597.5 million). Physical attendance at these regulated establishments declined 7.2%, recording 926,873 total visits.
Government tax collections from authorized gaming venues similarly diminished, decreasing 4.7% when adjusted for inflation to CLP214 million.
Meanwhile, Chile’s unauthorized digital gambling ecosystem experienced explosive growth. Industry analysts estimate the illicit market now exceeds $3.1 billion in annual value.
The trade association attributes this revenue migration to unlicensed platforms operating beyond Chile’s taxation framework and regulatory oversight, effectively siphoning customers from compliant establishments.
Chilean legislation currently restricts legal gambling activities to specific authorized operators: the ConcepciĂłn Lottery, Polla Chilena, sanctioned horse racing facilities, and properly licensed casino properties.
In response to the proliferation of illegal platforms, the Chilean Supreme Court issued a directive requiring domestic internet service providers to implement domain blocking against unauthorized betting websites. ACCJ President Cecilia Valdes praised the judicial intervention.
“We deeply appreciate the Supreme Court’s clear ruling on online gambling platforms, stating that they are illegal in Chile,” Valdes said.
Enforcement authorities have also discovered numerous clandestine physical gambling operations. These underground facilities emerged in multiple regions, including Antofagasta, Valdivia, and communities near Santiago.
The ACCJ connected these unauthorized establishments to systematic tax avoidance and potential connections with criminal enterprises.
Comprehensive Youth Research Reveals Troubling Patterns
Perhaps the most concerning findings emerged from groundbreaking research examining gambling behaviors among Chilean adolescents. The investigation, entitled “Catching Screens: A Radiography of Online Gambling in Chilean Youth,” represented Chile’s inaugural comprehensive assessment of youth betting activities.
Results showed that 26% of young Chilean respondents acknowledged participating in online betting within the preceding twelve months. Participants reported beginning their gambling activities at an average age of just 15.5 years.
The research further revealed that 92% of young people surveyed had encountered gambling advertisements through social media channels or livestreaming services. Additionally, 62% reported engaging with video games incorporating randomized reward mechanisms such as loot boxes.
Most youth gambling involved relatively modest stakes. Approximately 79% of young bettors wagered amounts below CLP10,000 per individual wager.
Nevertheless, these findings regarding early-age exposure have prompted the ACCJ to expand its advocacy efforts. The organization now partners with medical professionals and government representatives to develop comprehensive digital education programs and mental health intervention strategies.
On the policy front, Chile’s legislature is advancing two significant regulatory frameworks. BoletĂn 14.838-03 proposes comprehensive oversight for online betting operations. This measure secured overwhelming Senate approval during general voting last August, passing with 27 affirmative votes against only 3 opposing. The proposal currently undergoes detailed committee review for potential modifications.
A companion initiative, BoletĂn 15.975-25, would establish a specialized economic intelligence division dedicated to monitoring financial crimes associated with unauthorized gambling operations.
The ACCJ emphasizes that forthcoming regulations must extend beyond merely legitimizing existing unauthorized operations. The organization advocates for rigorous standards encompassing taxation protocols, financial transaction transparency, and robust consumer protections to prevent previously illegal operators from obtaining competitive advantages over established compliant businesses.
Chile’s gambling regulation challenges reflect wider regional patterns throughout Latin America. In Mexico, lawmakers recently approved legislation restricting gambling advertisements during prime family viewing hours in preparation for the 2026 World Cup.
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