Enjoy to Relinquish Operations of Three Chilean Casinos, Paving Way for New Bidding Process

Enjoy's Resignation Officialized for Key Chilean Casinos

Chile's Superintendencia de Casinos de Juego (SCJ) has officially sanctioned casino operator Enjoy's relinquishment of its operating licenses for three major casinos located in Viña del Mar, Coquimbo, and Pucón. The decision, published in the Official Gazette in September 2025, initiates a 120-business-day timeline for new public tender processes to select replacement operators for these facilities. The resignations are set to become effective in September 2028, three years after the publication of the resolutions.

The SCJ's Resolutive Council had sanctioned the resignations in August 2025, with the Ministry of Finance publishing the resolutions on September 4 for Coquimbo and Pucón, and on September 13 for Viña del Mar.

Financial Pressures and Regulatory Changes Drive Decision

Enjoy's decision to withdraw stems from what the company described as unsustainable financing terms associated with the operating licenses, which were originally approved on June 15, 2018. The company faced substantial annual payments, including approximately UF 831,123 (nearly CLP 32 billion) for Viña del Mar, UF 481,501 (over CLP 18 billion) for Coquimbo, and UF 121,000 (more than CLP 4 billion) for Pucón. These financial obligations, coupled with 'liquidity constraints and the slow post-pandemic recovery,' contributed to a prolonged restructuring process, including a second judicial reorganization in early 2024.

The resignation was facilitated by Decree N°803, a law issued in 2024, which provides a legal framework for casino operators to surrender their licenses without incurring financial guarantees. This decree permits operators to continue operations for up to three years after resignation, allowing the government time to organize new bidding processes.

New Bidding Process and Local Impact

The 120-business-day period for initiating new concession bidding processes is expected to conclude by February 2026. The SCJ has indicated that the new tendering processes will incorporate special conditions designed to safeguard local interests and enhance tourism infrastructure within the affected municipalities. These conditions are expected to include:

• A minimum guaranteed economic offer from each tenderer.
• Pledges to construct or expand tourism-related facilities in the host municipalities.
• Provisions to ensure the continued employment of a percentage of existing casino staff under the new operators.

Local governments have expressed mixed reactions. The Mayor of Viña del Mar, Macarena Ripamonti, voiced concerns about a potential 'economic crisis' and the impact on municipal revenues, as casino contributions represent a significant portion of the city's budget. Rodrigo Mundaca, Governor of Valparaíso, voted against the Viña del Mar resignation, warning that the decision 'can set a bad precedent for other concessionaires.'

Broader Market Implications

Enjoy's withdrawal marks a significant moment in Chile's gaming market, given its long-standing role as a dominant operator. The move signals both economic and regulatory shifts within the sector. The company's financial difficulties and the regulatory changes allowing for such resignations highlight ongoing challenges and adaptations within the Chilean casino industry. Separately, the National Economic Prosecutor's Office (FNE) had previously accused Enjoy, along with Dreams and Marina del Sol, of alleged collusion in 2020 and 2021 bidding processes for casino licenses, further underscoring the complex landscape of the industry.