Chile's Tribunal de Defensa de la Libre Competencia (TDLC) has lifted the interim suspension on the tender process for a new casino operating permit in Viña del Mar.
This would allow the bidding process to resume while the tribunal continues reviewing the challenge filed by Inversiones Marina del Sol.
The decision lifts the interim order imposed on June 11 after Inversiones Marina del Sol, a casino operator linked to the Imschenetzky family, filed a non-contentious query with the TDLC.
The company requested that the tribunal determine whether the technical terms governing tenders for casinos in Iquique, Coquimbo, Viña del Mar and Pucón comply with Chile's competition law.
Regarding the Viña del Mar process, Marina del Sol requested the suspension on the grounds that the tender's three-month deadline for a new operator to become operational was unworkable. The company argued that installing more than 1,500 gaming machines, 100 gaming tables and a CCTV system with more than 900 cameras within that timeframe would place new entrants at a competitive disadvantage.
The Superintendencia de Casinos de Juego (SCJ), which oversees the tender, had asked the TDLC to lift the suspension, arguing that the case file did not justify maintaining the interim measure and that further delays could ultimately discourage competition by shortening the time available for potential bidders to prepare their proposals.
Chile's competition authority, the Fiscalía Nacional Económica (FNE), also requested to participate in the proceedings and sought additional time to review the case file.
With the suspension lifted, the hearing for the submission of technical and economic offers is expected to take place in August.
The Viña del Mar casino was historically operated by Enjoy. The company resigned its operating permits for Viña del Mar, Coquimbo and Pucón as part of its judicial reorganization process.
The casino has since been operated by Casinos de Chile, a company created by Enjoy's creditors following the group's restructuring.
The Viña del Mar casino is one of Chile's most iconic gaming venues and has been operating since 1930
