Chile's Senate Economy Commission has proposed tighter licensing rules for online betting operators. Only companies legally incorporated in Chile with known offices and registered addresses would qualify for a licence. Senators Gastón Saavedra, Matías Walker and Ricardo Celis are pushing for full ownership transparency and disclosure of ultimate beneficiaries.
The amendments were discussed in a working group with the government. The senators said Chile needs a market that is "regulated, transparent, safe and pays taxes in the country." On top of VAT, a dedicated betting tax would fund mass sport, problem-gambling prevention and a municipal fund.
Proposed measures include biometric verification to protect minors, a national responsible-gambling policy, restrictions on payment methods and bonuses, and a betting ban for athletes, coaches, referees and officials. Regulators — the Superintendence of Casinos, the financial-markets commission, the tax authority and the financial-intelligence unit — would gain powers to block unlicensed operators and track money flows.
The current bill sets an annual licence fee of 1,000 UTM, a 20% tax on gross revenue plus corporate income tax and VAT, and a 2% levy on GGR for sport. The legislation was introduced in March 2022 under President Sebastián Piñera. It spent nearly two years in the lower chamber, reached the Senate in late 2023 and has been stuck in committee since. Lawmakers spoke of passing it during the current parliamentary term in 2025, but as of September 2026 the Senate is still amending the text with no vote scheduled.
