Regulation of the online market: new licenses

Introduction: from "vacuum" status to licenses

Before the adoption of the special law, online gambling in Chile was considered illegal: SCJ (Superintendencia de Casinos de Juego) does not have the authority to regulate sites before the adoption of the new law, which the service directly confirms in the FAQ.

Since 2023, the Supreme Court has ordered communication providers several times to block access to offshore platforms; On September 30-October 1, 2025, the court again ordered the immediate national blocking of dozens of sites from Claro, Entel, Movistar, WOM, VTR, etc.

Where is the law now: July-August 2025 and beyond

Boletín Bill 14. 838-03 ("Regulates the development of online betting platforms") - in the second reading in the Senate; On August 6, 2025, the relevant Finance Commission approved the initiative in general, and on August 13-15, 2025, the Senate Plenum approved "in general" (27 - "for," 3 - "against," 5 - coronavirus.) . Next - work on articles and final promotion/introduction.

What's Changing: New License Architecture

1) Regulator

The project strengthens and renames the supervision to Superintendencia de Casinos, Apuestas y Juegos de Azar (the strengthening of powers/resources is embedded in the financial explanations as well). Before the entry of the law, the current SCJ does not regulate online, but after the reform, it is the "new" superintendence that will become the licensing and control body.

2) License types and coverage

The text of the project and its materials provide for general (general) and special licenses for platforms; related changes in UAF (AML) laws and other acts are being revealed to include online operators in the AML/CFT perimeter.

3) Cost and fiscal contributions

Annual license fee: 1,000 UTM for each platform with a general license (plus established one-time and other fees by modality). This follows from the DIPRES documents.

Special tax 20% GGR (according to financial explanations) in conjunction with other payments.

2% of the GGR of sports bets - on sports (IND): a third - to federations, a third - to the NOC, a third - to the Paralympic Committee (amended distribution scheme in the version of the Ministry of Finance of 16. 06. 2025).

Up to 1% GGR - for a responsible game (RG): a mandatory contribution with offset of actual expenses according to the rules of the regulator.

4) Basic requirements for the licensee

Customer Identification (KYC), prohibition of underage participation, uniform AML/CTF procedures under UAF, game/accident certification, and cybersecurity.

Responsible play policy at national level + mandatory RG messages; the operator funds RG at least 1% of GGR annually.

Advertising framework/sponsorship: requirements for advertising are tightened, integration into sports - only within the law (including 18 + labels, etc.).

How licensing will work (expected practice)

Step 1 - application and check "fit & proper."

The company submits a package of documents to the regulator: beneficiaries, financial stability, internal compliance system (KYC/AML, RG, IT). The project separately stipulates integration into the UAF system.

Step 2 - technical certification.

RNG/sports pricing schemes, logging, log storage, real-time reporting for the regulator. (Items disclosed in Treasury/Senate presentations.)

Step 3 - fiscal agreements.

Confirmation of payment of 1,000 UTM/year, registration for special tax 20% GGR, setting up separate accounting 2% for sports and up to 1% for RG.

Step 4 - start-up and continuous supervision.

Monitoring of advertising practices, audits of AML/CTF and RG, IT checks and measures for violations (suspension/cancellation of the license).

As for before the law comes into force

Until the law is passed and published, online operators in Chile are not considered licensed; there are Supreme Court decisions on blocking unlicensed sites (fall 2025), which SCJ publicly supported. This is fundamental: licenses will take effect after promulgación and the issuance of by-laws.

Benefits for the state and sports

The financial block of the project was explained by the Ministry of Finance and DIPRES: the expected stable base of taxes/fees, transparent turnover, plus targeted sports financing (2% GGR for sports banks). The Senate emphasizes that the bill contains 75 permanent articles and 6 transitional ones, forming a completed market architecture.

FAQ

Who issues new online licenses?

New/fortified Superintendencia de Casinos, Apuestas y Juegos de Azar (as designed). Prior to the entry into law, online is outside the powers of the current SCJ.

How much does the license cost?

The basic annual fee is 1,000 UTM for each platform with a general license (according to DIPRES documents).

What are the key deductions over tax?

2% GGR of sports bets - in favor of IND (Federation/NOC/Paralympic Committee) and up to 1% GGR - for a responsible game (including actual expenses).

Online already "allowed"? Can I advertise?

Not just yet. Until the full adoption and entry of the law, online platforms are not licensed, and the court supports blocking; advertising of unlicensed operators is a high-risk area.

Chile is moving from a legal vacuum to a licensed online market: a strengthened regulator appears, a license platform (general/special), clear KYC/AML/RG requirements, 1,000 UTM/year per license, 20% GGR special tax and target 2% GGR for sports. While the law goes through the articles in the Senate, there is a hard line of blocking. After promulgación, the market will receive predictable rules of the game for operators, sports, consumers and budget.