Tax contribution of gambling casinos by law N°19.995 reached usd 203 million in 2023 in Chile

• The 25 gaming casinos operating in the country recorded gross gaming revenues (win) of usd 534 million in 2023, which, in real terms, were 9.1 per cent higher than in 2022.
• In respect of December 2023, the collection amounted to usd 16.2 million, which, in real terms, was 4.7% lower than in December 2022.
• Taxes collected

The 22 casinos contributed a total of usd203 million in taxes in 2023, exceeding the contribution made in 2022 by 4.5% in real terms. The latter is mainly explained by the fact that in 2023 three casinos operated throughout the year, which in 2022 moved from the municipal regime to the 19.995 regime and started operating on different dates (Coquimbo and Pucón, in January and June 2022, respectively). However, in the month of December, taxes generated were 2.5% lower than in the same month of 2022.

The amounts added at the industry level are divided into usd 86 million corresponding to the specific gaming tax destined to regional governments and municipalities for the financing of development works, in addition to usd 85 million associated with the payment of VAT on gaming revenues and usd 31 million corresponding to the gaming hall entrance tax, which is destined to the nation's general funds.

On the other hand, in December 2023, the Marina del Sol Casino, which began operating in November last year, paid the Municipality of Talcahuano usd 0.55 m for the economic offer, which corresponds to the proportion of the total amount offered (approximately 13%) and through which it was awarded its operating permit.

This payment is made to the General Treasury of the Republic, which, in the same term as the specific gaming tax, must transfer it to the respective municipality. This is in March 2024.

The distribution of taxes collected in 2023 is shown in the following table:

Revenue and visits 2023

The 25 gaming casinos operating in the country recorded gross gaming revenues (win) of usd 534 million in 2023, which, in real terms, were 9.1% higher than in 2022. Meanwhile, in the month of December, revenues were 4.7% lower than in December 2022.

In terms of visits, 7.12 million people entered the 25 casinos in operation, which is equivalent to an increase of 12% compared to 2022.

In addition, during 2023, an average spend of $76,042 per visit was recorded, implying a 12% decrease in real terms from the average spend per visit in 2022.

NOTE: Detailed casino gaming operational results for December 2023 are available in the SCJ's Statistical Bulletin.