Gaming tax revenue received by the municipality of Rinconada, Chile, fell 39% between 2019 and 2025, the largest decline among the 18 communes covered by a study by the Asociación de Casinos.
The report compares 2019 and 2025 to assess the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on casino revenues and the sector’s subsequent recovery. The industry has yet to return to pre-pandemic levels, with combined municipal contributions across the 18 communes falling 12.6% over the period.
The municipality is also owed CLP1.998bn ($2.01m) in gaming tax payments it has not received, according to its mayor, who says the situation has forced it to dismiss staff, suspend programs, reduce social aid and postpone development projects.
Juan Galdames Carmona, Mayor of Rinconada, said: “We are demanding that the law be complied with and that the money that belongs to our commune be delivered.”
The municipality filed a complaint with the Valparaíso regional office of the comptroller in March, when the debt already exceeded CLP1.2bn, asking it to investigate the missed transfers and determine possible responsibility.
Galdames and Senator Camila Flores have recently met in Santiago with Treasurer General Hernán Nobizelli. According to the Mayor, they were told the money collected was going first to other obligations, including legal proceedings and seizures, while Rinconada’s transfers were pushed back.
Galdames and Flores later delivered the debt records to Jorge Trujillo Puentes, national director of the Internal Revenue Service (SII), along with a calendar of pending periods based on Superintendency of Casino Gaming data.
Trujillo committed to pursue an audit of Enjoy Santiago and to work toward a working group to clarify the situation.
In March, workers at Enjoy Santiago in Rinconada voted in favor of a legal strike after collective bargaining with operator Casinos de Chile stalled.
The union, which represents 341 employees, raised concerns over benefits, night-shift pay and around 300 layoffs in 2025. The parties reached a two-year collective agreement on March 18, including an 8% salary increase and improved working conditions.
The municipality’s projected 2027 budget of about CLP7.3bn is roughly 40% lower than in 2026 and was drawn up without casino revenue because of uncertainty over whether it will be received
