Key Points
- Chile’s SII has implemented a registration system forcing foreign gambling websites to pay taxes despite operating without legal authorization.
- Chile’s highest court has determined these platforms lack proper licensing to conduct business in the country.
- SII head Jorge Trujillo maintains that collecting revenue doesn’t constitute approval of unlawful activities.
- Political leaders contend the approach essentially validates unauthorized gambling businesses.
- Additional hearings before the Senate Economy Committee are scheduled with gaming regulators.
Chile’s tax collection agency finds itself embroiled in controversy following its decision to mandate tax payments from foreign gambling websites that the nation’s highest court has deemed unauthorized.
Jorge Trujillo, who leads the SII, appeared before Senate economic oversight officials on June 12, 2026, to justify the agency’s position. He emphasized that revenue collection serves a different purpose than authorizing business operations.
“Foreign online gambling companies represent a significant economic activity that has drawn our agency’s focus,” Trujillo explained. “We confirmed these business operations are actively occurring and developed a targeted collection framework.”
The controversial policy stems from Resolution No. 69, which establishes procedures for international betting operators to fulfill tax requirements under Chilean law while simultaneously operating outside legal parameters.
Trujillo’s rationale remains uncomplicated: when businesses generate income from Chilean residents, tax obligations to the state exist independent of whether the business activity itself has legal standing.
Political Opposition Intensifies
The explanation hasn’t satisfied political leaders. Economy Committee chairman Senator Gastón Saavedra summoned Trujillo specifically to address concerns about regulatory implications.
According to Saavedra, the approach creates regulatory confusion. “This amounts to legitimizing activities that our courts have explicitly prohibited,” he stated.
Congressman Diego Ibáñez offered sharper criticism, drawing parallels between the tax policy and hypothetical revenue collection from unauthorized street vendors, illicit animal competitions, narcotics distribution, and violent crimes for hire.
“Regrettably, the SII’s approach effectively validates unlawful operations that our supreme court explicitly ruled against,” Ibáñez declared.
Members of Chile’s legislative chamber have joined the criticism, intensifying demands for governmental clarification.
Future Developments
The Senate’s economic oversight body has scheduled follow-up sessions addressing this controversy. Officials from the Superintendence of Gaming Casinos will present their perspective, while committee members plan thorough examination of supreme court precedents.
Chile currently lacks dedicated legislation addressing foreign digital gambling platforms, creating the regulatory vacuum fueling this dispute.
The revenue service insists it will maintain its collection efforts. Meanwhile, legislators appear committed to establishing clearer regulatory frameworks and show no signs of abandoning the issue.
This controversy highlights broader questions about governmental responses to businesses operating within regulatory gray zones, especially when such enterprises generate substantial taxable income from domestic consumers.
Currently, the SII’s policy remains operational. Additional committee proceedings are anticipated in upcoming weeks as Chile navigates toward comprehensive online gambling regulations.
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