Chile's state lottery Polla Chilena de Beneficencia has filed a criminal complaint against online betting operators, accusing them of unauthorised gambling, money laundering and organised crime. Santiago's Fourth Guarantee Court accepted the filing on 21 August. The Public Prosecutor's Office will now decide whether to open an investigation and press charges against specific companies or individuals.
Polla alleges the platforms deliberately target the Chilean market: they register local customers, accept deposits and withdrawals through local payment methods, run advertising and sponsor sporting events. The lottery is demanding scrutiny of the origin, movement and destination of funds — bank records, transactions, accounts and beneficial owners. It has requested data on payment providers, corporate documents and contracts with technology and processing suppliers.
The aim is to establish whether proceeds from illegal gambling were concealed, which could qualify as laundering. A separate request asks whether there is an organised structure with fixed roles and responsibilities created to commit offences.
This is not Chile's first attempt to restrict unlicensed online gambling through the courts. In September 2023 the Supreme Court ordered an internet provider to block betting sites following a suit by Polla. In September 2025 a court ordered six providers to block unlicensed bookmakers after a suit by Lotería de Concepción. Providers were given five days to comply and required to report the methods used.
The regulator has now shifted from administrative measures to criminal prosecution. If the prosecutor backs the complaint, operators will face investigation of financial flows and possible charges for serious offences.
