Chile’s Government has accelerated the country’s online betting regulation bill after granting the proposal “urgent” legislative status, increasing pressure for Congress to advance discussion on the framework.
The bill, originally introduced in 2022 and currently under second constitutional review, seeks to establish a licensing system for online betting operators alongside tax obligations, compliance rules and responsible gambling measures.
The proposal would also require authorized operators to establish legal entities in Chile, disclose the origin of funds and report suspicious transactions under anti-money laundering rules.
Following the Government’s decision, the Chilean Online Betting Platforms Association (aPAL) publicly welcomed the move, describing it as a positive step towards creating legal certainty for a market that currently operates without a dedicated regulatory structure.
“The granting of urgent status reflects the need for a modern, effective regulation aligned with international standards, especially regarding user protection, responsible gambling and supervision,” the association stated.
According to aPAL, more than 70% of OECD countries already operate under regulated online betting frameworks.
The association also warned that poorly designed regulation could weaken channelization towards licensed operators, reducing both consumer protection and potential tax collection.
“The comparative evidence shows that poorly designed regulations reduce channelization towards the formal market,” the organization said.
aPAL currently represents operators including Betsson, Coolbet, JuegaEnLinea and LatamWin.
The association reiterated its willingness to collaborate technically with lawmakers during the legislative process, arguing that clear rules are necessary to strengthen transparency, supervision and competition within the sector.
Chile’s Gaming Superintendency estimates that more than 900 online betting platforms currently operate outside the law in the country
