BGC signs cooperation agreement with Chile’s online betting operators

The Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) has signed a cooperation agreement with Chile’s online gambling operators group to support regulatory development as the country moves toward licensing online betting platforms.

The UK trade body finalized the agreement on Monday with the Agrupación de Plataformas de Apuesta en Línea (aPAL), a coalition of international online betting operators founded in 2022 to promote modern gambling regulation in Chile. The BGC represents around 90% of Britain’s regulated betting and gaming market.

Chile currently operates without a regulated online gambling framework, despite having an established land-based casino sector, horseracing operations and a state lottery duopoly. A bill to regulate online betting has been under discussion for several years and remains pending legislative approval.

Under the cooperation agreement, both organizations will exchange international experience and regulatory expertise to support policymaker engagement and contribute evidence to the development of a future licensing framework for online gambling in Chile.

Carlos Baeza, a Chilean lawyer and representative of aPAL, said Chile has an opportunity to introduce a modern regulatory model that protects consumers, addresses illegal activity and delivers public benefits. He noted that online gambling currently operates outside regulatory oversight, leaving players without safeguards and limiting state control.

Grainne Hurst, CEO of the Betting and Gaming Council, said the organization was pleased to work with aPAL at a key moment for gambling reform in Chile, emphasizing that effective regulation is essential to protect players, raise standards and combat the black market.

The agreement will initially run for one year and forms part of the BGC International Committee’s broader engagement program with global regulatory stakeholders.