Legality of offline casinos

In Chile, the legality of land casinos is not determined by the existence of the hall, but by compliance with Law No. 19. 995 and by-laws of the Ministry of Finance, as well as the presence of an operating permit issued by SCJ (Superintendencia de Casinos de Juego). It is this bundle - law, regulations and supervision - that makes the casino "white" and allows it to work.

Basic legal conditions of legality

1. Permissive SCJ mode.

The casino operation is possible only with a permit (permiso de operación), which issues, extends or revokes the SCJ. This directly follows from the law and the official functions of the regulator.

2. Snaps to a specific object.

Even with permission, the casino can only operate in the object specified in the permission; transfer/change of site and mode of operation are regulated by Decreto Supremo No. 287/2005 (regulation of functioning and fiscalization).

3. You only play what is allowed.

The assortment and rules of games are determined by the SCJ "Catalog of Games" (roulette, maps, dice, bingo, slot machines, etc.). Casino may only offer games in the order listed in the Catalogue and licensed by SCJ.

4. Supervision and responsibility.

SCJ monitors legal, financial, commercial and operational aspects, applies measures and sanctions in case of violations. This is captured in the mission/service functions and in regulation DS 287.

What exactly checks the SCJ from "offline"

Compliance with the permit: facility, halls, equipment, staff, working hours.

Correctness of games: compliance with the Catalog and internal procedures.

Responsible play, PLA/FT, cybersecurity: Mandatory oversight standards published by SCJ.

Why offline casinos are legal, but online without a special law is not

For land-based casinos, there is a full-fledged legal framework: Law No. 19. 995 + DS 287 + SCJ resolutions. This is the "legal troika" for offline.

There is no separate law for online for October 2025: judicial and regulatory practice consistently recognizes illegal platforms without permission and supports their blocking - incl. decisions of higher courts. (This does not negate the legality of offline, but only emphasizes the difference in regimes.)

Check list of a legal offline casino (for the player and investor)

Is there SCJ clearance? You can find information on the regulator's portal (sections "Casinos," "Reglamentos," "Marco normativo").

Does the address/object match the resolution? The casino must operate strictly in the specified location.

Does the range of games correspond to the Catalog? No "amateur" rules over approved SCJs.

Is compliance visible: responsible play policy, age restrictions, AML/CIB block.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Do I need a separate permit for each hall?

Permission is issued for a specific object with operating parameters; extensions/changes are governed by DS 287 and require approvals.

Is it possible to "transport" the casino to another site in the same commune?

No, there is no simple transfer: you can only work in an object that is individualized in resolution. Otherwise - violation.

Where can I see the list of allowed games and their rules?

In the current SCJ Game Catalog (official PDF with change resolutions).

Who controls the casino and imposes sanctions?

SCJ is a supervisory authority created by Act No. 19. 995; it inspects and, if necessary, fines/suspends activities.

A terrestrial casino in Chile is legal if it: (a) has a valid SCJ permit, (b) operates strictly in the specified facility under DS 287, (c) only conducts games from the SCJ Catalog and (d) undergoes supervision through RG/AML/cybersecurity lines. This is a stable, transparent model built by law No. 19. 995 and supported by the practice of SCJ and the courts.