Chile regulator outlines challenges in blocking illegal betting sites

Chile’s Undersecretary of Telecommunications (Subtel), Romina Garrido, has warned lawmakers that blocking illegal betting platforms in the country will require more than technical intervention, citing the speed at which operators create mirror sites and change domains to remain accessible.

Speaking before the Constitution, Legislation, Justice and Regulation Committee of the Chamber of Deputies, Garrido said the issue directly affects families, minors and vulnerable consumers, arguing that enforcement efforts must combine regulation, inter-agency coordination and technical oversight.

According to Garrido, Subtel is currently working on a technical compliance protocol designed to enforce the ruling in what she described as a “realistic and effective” way. Discussions are already underway with telecom operators, the Gaming Superintendency, Lotería and Polla Chilena.

The regulator said one of the technologies under evaluation is Server Name Indication (SNI), which would allow providers to restrict access to specific domains while minimising broader network interference.

However, Garrido acknowledged legal limitations regarding how far authorities can go in monitoring internet traffic, noting that Chile’s long-standing net neutrality framework remains a central consideration.

“If there is illegal content, net neutrality can be restricted,” Garrido said, adding that regulators are still assessing “how far those boundaries can go.”

She also argued that enforcement cannot rely solely on telecom providers and suggested broader participation from financial regulators, payment providers and education authorities, particularly regarding access by minors and the use of credit cards on illegal gambling platforms.

The discussion comes as Chile’s online betting regulation bill continues advancing through Congress. This week, the Chamber of Deputies’ Finance Committee unanimously approved the proposal, which would establish a tax and licensing framework for operators.