Casino Association President Cecilia Valdés Urges Swift Passage of Online Betting Law in Chile 

On September 29, 2025, the Supreme Court ordered internet providers to block online betting sites, classifying them as games of chance and defining them as “an illicit activity.” Six months later, those online casinos continue to operate in Chile. Since the ruling targeted 23 specific sites, operators simply changed their URLs. They still sponsor football teams and media outlets.

Backed by this Supreme Court decision, a new government, and a bill currently in its second constitutional stage, Cecilia Valdés, President of the Association of Casinos and Gaming, is pushing to accelerate this initiative—originally introduced in March 2022—aimed at regulating online betting platforms and, more broadly, the gaming industry as a whole.

Valdés argued that the new government must move quickly on the legislation, pointing to the rise of illegal gambling, declining casino visits, and structural weaknesses in the sector as reasons for urgent action.

In an interview with Pulso de La Tercera, she stressed that the administration has an opportunity to bring order to a market distorted by the expansion of illegal gambling, both physical and digital. “The Ministry of Finance will need to carefully consider how to ensure the sustainability of this industry,” she said, noting that the problem extends beyond online betting to slot machines in retail outlets and a licensing system with longstanding flaws.

Valdés expressed hope for change under President José Antonio Kast’s administration: “We believe something will change,” she said, emphasizing that the government has a mandate to enforce the law and confront illicit activities more firmly.

She warned that illegal gambling not only creates unfair competition for the regulated industry but also poses risks in terms of security, taxation, and money traceability. For this reason, she insisted that the online casino bill must be a priority—not only for fiscal revenue but also for consumer and youth protection.

Regarding online platforms, Valdés noted that despite a Supreme Court ruling in September 2025 ordering 23 sites to be blocked, many continue to operate by changing URLs and even sponsor football clubs and media outlets. “The worst part is living in an environment of suspicion,” she said, referring to unclear financial flows from these platforms. She urged swift regulation to ensure transparency about where resources come from and where they go.

She also highlighted that the bill has accumulated nearly 400 amendments, some contradictory, making a comprehensive review essential. The legislation, she added, not only regulates online betting but also impacts the overall structure of the gaming industry.

Finally, Valdés defended modernizing the current model to allow physical casinos to compete in the digital space, arguing that the industry seeks fair competition conditions between new entrants and established operators in Chile.