The operator of the Casino de Antofagasta in northern Chile is facing a liquidation hearing that could ultimately lead to the loss of its gaming license, raising uncertainty around the future of one of the country’s key regional casino venues.
A hearing scheduled for March 18 at the Segundo Juzgado de Letras de Antofagasta will determine whether concession holder Dalmacia Gaming should enter a forced liquidation process. Under Chilean gaming regulations, a liquidation ruling would automatically void the company’s casino operating permit.
The legal action was filed by a creditor company linked to one of the parties involved in a broader corporate dispute surrounding the property where the casino operates. The petition cites an unpaid debt of approximately UF 22,000, equivalent to more than CLP 876m ($900,000).
If the court approves the liquidation request, the casino would be unable to continue operating under its current corporate structure, potentially disrupting operations while the concession’s future is clarified.
The dispute stems from a corporate restructuring tied to changes in ownership following the financial reorganization of Chilean casino operator Enjoy.
The real estate company involved in the conflict, Proyecto Integral Antofagasta, was jointly owned by Casinos de Chile, controlled by Enjoy’s creditors, with roughly a 70% stake, while Dalmacia, linked to the Simunovic business group, held the remaining share.
That entity held a lease-to-own agreement on the property, subleasing the building to the casino operator for monthly payments of around UF 14,000.
In a statement, Dalmacia Gaming, Sociedad Concesionaria del Casino de Antofagasta, said it maintains a stable financial position and remains current on all obligations with creditors and suppliers.
The company also stated that it had not been formally notified of any liquidation request and reserved the right to pursue legal action against parties it believes may have used insolvency proceedings as a litigation strategy.
The dispute comes amid a broader restructuring of Chilean casino operator Enjoy, which has undergone multiple judicial reorganizations
