Chile’s efforts to curb illegal online betting are entering a new phase, as the Subsecretariat of Telecommunications (Subtel) has been instructed to evaluate whether more permanent blocking mechanisms can be applied to unlicensed gambling websites.
According to court filings, more than 3,800 illegal betting websites were active in Chile as of January 2026, highlighting the scale of the enforcement challenge.
As Subtel reviews its technical options, the debate now centers on how far authorities can go in blocking access without overstepping legal boundaries or disrupting lawful internet use.
The move follows ongoing complaints that previously blocked betting platforms continue to operate through so-called mirror sites, using new URLs to evade court-ordered restrictions.
Although Chile’s Supreme Court ordered the blocking of specific illegal betting websites in 2025, affected parties argue that enforcement has been insufficient.
“We maintain that the order issued by the Supreme Court has not been complied with by the telecom companies,” said Macarena Carvallo, president of the Chilean Lottery Charity.
“As of today, anyone can still access the different betting websites.”
The organizations subsequently requested that any mirror sites, pages using different domains but redirecting users to the same betting platforms, also be blocked.
In response, the Santiago Court of Appeals formally asked Subtel to clarify whether telecom concessionaires have technologies capable of blocking mirror sites precisely, without affecting access to legitimate websites, and preventing betting platforms from reappearing under new URLs.
Carvallo argued that a dynamic approach is required.
“What needs to be done is to create blacklists, either through artificial intelligence or through teams that continuously monitor illegal platforms.”
The original legal action was brought by Chilean Charity and Concepción Lottery, which were dissatisfied with the blocking of only 12 specific betting sites
