Vote on sports advertising ban delayed in Chile

In December 2022 The Chamber of Deputies unanimously approved Deputy Sulantay’s ban on the advertising of sports betting. The ban was approved in general terms with 118 votes in favour, one against and three abstentions.

The project proposes the prohibition of any contract between online betting platforms with sports organizations, whether professionals, clubs, associations, foundations, federations and others. Another article of the initiative prohibits the advertising and sponsorship of the platforms in relation to sport, “whatever the medium or support by which it is transmitted or published, and whatever the time or event in which it is advertised or sponsored.” In addition, it prohibits the advertising of these platforms via jersey sponsorships and in any sports venue.

The lawmaker asked why the initiative had been withdrawn adding that the delay at the very last minute led to questions over transparency. “There is a lot of pressure here because of the money committed,” he said.

The deputy also criticized the presence of National Association of Professional Football (ANFP) officials in Congress offices last week, prior to the vote on the project. “I demand that, for transparency, the project be voted on as soon as possible and thus avoid further suspicion,” he said.

This will make it possible to legalize an activity that is currently prohibited, but which develops without problems as it deals with foreign platforms that operate on the Internet and that even specifically target Chilean consumers. According to the Casino Superintendence (SCJ), from Chile you can have access to more than 900 online gaming sites (not all betting), a market that generates around US$ 150 million annually.

The regulation proposed by the project focuses specifically on online betting and not on Internet games, whether or not they are random. What is sought, says the text, is to regulate the operation of platforms that offer a capital gain or loss associated with the uncertain outcome of certain games, guaranteeing the public faith involved.