"An online gaming regulation in Chile is necessary due to the various positive effects that it will bring"- Francisco Leiva

The casino industry in Chile asks for an online gaming regulation. Do you think it will be possible in the short or medium term?
Not only the casino industry is asking for an online gaming regulation. Onling gaming perators and providers, both national and international, are also demanding it.

Unfortunately, the issue regarding online gambling regulation in Chile is not on the public agenda. However, my belief is that regulation is necessary due to the various positive effects that this means, in terms of creating a safe framework, offering consumer protection, developing an industry with the corresponding production chains and, at the same time, paying taxes. . For all these reasons, I believe that the players in the gaming industry should dedicate our efforts so that the authorities know the benefits that a situation with regulation means compared to the current situation that inhibits the development of an industry and, make them decide to regulate the online game.

Apparently, in recent times due to the crisis faced by on-site casinos, it is a matter that is being analyzed by the authorities of the Ministry of Finance, but the guidelines that such eventual regulation would have are unknown. Consequently, unfortunately today it is not possible to predict when online gambling regulation could be possible, but clearly it is a necessity for the country.

Which are the main issues to be considered, when evaluating the possilibity of online gambling regulation?
In the first place, it must be a general regulation, that is, by means of a regulation that establishes requirements and conditions, in such a way that everyone who complies with them accesses an online gambling permit.

Second, online gaming regulations must take into account what I consider to be the three main factors on which the activity involves:

-The protection and guarantees of the players, with special attention to minors and responsible gaming application.

-A business model that allows online gaming companies to offer a competitive product in variety, quality and price; with a tax lien according to the business model of online gaming, very different from face-to-face gaming. In addition, the regulated offering must be competitive to avoid the advantages of the “offshore” offering established in jurisdictions that grant cross-border online gaming licenses, to enable the regulated market to absorb most of the volume of online gaming.

-Control of the regulatory authority, establishing strict corporate and technological compliance requirements that guarantee the cleanliness and transparency of the activity.

Do you think online gambling should be addressed only for the casino industry or at a general level?
I am absolutely convinced that it must be addressed through general regulation, since in this way standards are established and a fair legal framework is defined, which regulates the industry in all its aspects: technical, economic and social; in order to ensure transparency, security and public faith.

However, it cannot be a regulation aimed at delivering online gaming activity only to face-to-face casinos. Successful international experiences have regulated online gaming through general legislation, that is, anyone who meets the requirements can access an online gaming license. In this way, physical casinos can apply for online gaming licenses, but also any other investor who wishes to operate in said market.

Pretending it to be one more category of gaming in the face-to-face casinos seems to me wrong, since these are activities that have similarities (development and exploitation of games of chance), but also many differences (form of relationship with customers, means of payment, traceability of bets). Consequently, this extrapolation seems to me erroneous, which would be analogous to requiring that to have an airline license you must have a bus license, even if they are both means of transportation, each of them has its own requirements and requirements.