Chilean authorities have dismantled an illegal casino operating in Galvarino, La Araucanía Region, arresting six individuals during a coordinated police raid.
Officers from the Criminal Investigation Brigade (BICRIM) of the Chilean Investigative Police (PDI), working alongside the Public Ministry and municipal security teams, seized 48 slot machines valued at more than CLP29m ($30,000), as well as cash linked to the venue’s operations.
The property had previously been shut down by municipal authorities in 2023, but investigators found that the venue had resumed operations without authorization, attracting regular foot traffic despite its prior closure.
Authorities also confirmed a high volume of patrons and the generation of revenue without authorization from either the municipality or the Superintendency of Casinos of Gaming.
Pedro Honorato Salvo, Sub-Prefect and Head of BICRIM Lautaro, said: “In coordination with the Public Ministry, a judicial search warrant was executed, resulting in the arrest of six individuals caught in the act. Various gaming machines and cash were also seized.”
Among those detained was a Chinese national found to be in an irregular immigration situation. Authorities confirmed that additional administrative measures would be pursued under Chile’s migration law, alongside the criminal proceedings related to illegal gambling activity.
All six individuals were referred to the Public Ministry and are expected to appear before the Galvarino’s Guarantee Court. The seized machines and cash remain under custody as part of the ongoing investigation and potential asset forfeiture process.
The enforcement action comes amid a broader policy debate in Chile over how to tackle illegal gambling, particularly in the online space.
The country’s telecom regulator has warned that proposals to block access to unlicensed betting websites could breach net neutrality rules, underscoring the legal and technical challenges authorities face when attempting to curb unauthorized operators beyond physical venues.
Chile has stepped up enforcement against unlicensed gambling operations in recent years, with repeated raids highlighting challenges in ensuring long-term compliance after initial closures
