Chilean police seize illegal slot machines

Chilean police seized 40 electronic slot machines and cash during a raid on an unlicensed gambling premises in the Atacama Region.

Officers from the Criminal Investigation Section of the 4th El Salvador Police Station executed the operation as part of a clandestine commerce investigation ordered by the Public Prosecutor's Office. Two individuals were detained at the scene: a 22-year-old Chilean national and a 24-year-old Chinese national, both without prior police records.

The cash, presumed to be proceeds from the illegal operation, was confiscated alongside the machines. Both detainees were informed of their legal situation and are awaiting formal summons.

Carabineros, the national police, said the operation reflects its commitment to combating establishments that disrupt economic order and community safety, and emphasized coordination with the Public Prosecutor's Office as central to tackling clandestine gambling venues.

The raid follows a series of enforcement actions against illegal gambling venues across Chile. A prior operation in San Fernando resulted in the seizure of more than 650 slot machines from nine premises, all of which had been subject to previous closure orders. 

The Asociación Chilena de Casinos y Juegos has flagged a rise in underground gambling operations across regions including Antofagasta, Valdivia and outer municipalities of Santiago, often linked to broader informal economies.

Chile's online gambling bill has remained stalled in Congress, with the administration of President José Antonio Kast, who took office in March 2026, yet to signal a clear regulatory pathway.