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The Senate Economy Commission is progressing its discussions of a plan to regulate online gambling, with legislators and the Executive on an agreed draft law. The goal is to create a regulated, transparent, secure, and taxed betting market in Chile.
The Internal Revenue Service (SII) and the Undersecretariat of Telecommunications (Subtel) gave updates on the current regulatory situation in the commission’s last session. The legislators pointed to an “inconsistency” between the measures that call for the blocking of gambling websites and the collection of Digital VAT by some of the same platforms.
Lawmakers Question the Current Regulatory Framework
Authorities have already banned 42 online gambling websites, and 39 more are registered for tax purposes, Subtel has confirmed. The agency’s revenue is expected to reach about $100 million in October, and it collects the applicable taxes quarterly.
It has led to questions by the senators for a more transparent and legal structure that would allow them to distinguish legal operators from illegal ones and also ensure that the market generates public revenue. Senators Saavedra, Walker and Celis have enumerated some of the steps they think should be included in the new bill.
Consumer Protection and Responsible Gambling
The proposed framework would provide enhanced consumer protection, including protections related to bettors’ mental health and the general population’s mental health. Senators also call for mandatory ID verification, restrictions on minors on betting sites, and a National Responsible Betting Policy to tackle problematic gambling.
The campaign will also attempt to limit payment methods and ban the use of cash and tangible prizes as means of “hooks.” Besides, the senators also want to ban wagering against athletes, sports executives, coaches, referees, and public officials who are associated with sporting events.
Licensing and Ownership Transparency
Another key element of the proposed framework would be the licensing requirements. The senators have suggested that operators be legally incorporated in Chile and that they should have offices and registered addresses in the country.
The proposal would also call for increased transparency in terms of who the final owners and the owners of the betting companies are. Advertising regulations would also be reinforced, such as banning ads during “time unsuitable for minors” on radio and TV.
Taxation and Funding for Public Programs
It would introduce a dedicated gambling tax on top of the existing VAT. Senators also call for financial support for community sports, the prevention and treatment of problematic gambling, and the Common Municipal Fund from the sector.
These measures would lead to a wider fiscal policy system for online betting, where participation in the market would be tied to contributions towards publicly provided social and public programs. This proposal aims to clarify the revenue distribution and regulated operators’ tax regime.
Stronger Enforcement Against Illegal Operators
Expansion of the powers of Chile’s main regulatory and enforcement agencies is also part of the Senate discussions. Superintendency of Casinos, CMF, SII, and Financial Analysis Unit (UAF) would be equipped with more instruments to supervise the sector and to act against illegal operators.
The proposed approach would involve a mix of technological blocking measures, financial traceability and sanctions under Chile’s economic crime law. As these mechanisms are combined, they would seek to make it harder for any unauthorised platform to operate and gain access to the nation’s financial infrastructure.
In the meantime, Chile’s Senate is trying to reconcile taxation, consumer protection, responsible gambling and enforcement in a single regulatory framework, as technical discussions continue. These will be crucial for the following steps, where these proposals will be incorporated into the bill and whether they can provide a more explicit legal basis for online gambling in the nation.
Source: SBC Noticias
