New Bill Targets Offshore Gambling Advertising
Santiago, Chile – Independent Senator Karim Bianchi has introduced a new legislative proposal in the Chilean Congress aimed at clamping down on the advertising and promotion of offshore betting platforms. The bill, submitted just days before the nation's presidential runoff election, seeks to impose significant penalties on individuals, media outlets, influencers, and intermediaries involved in promoting unlicensed online gambling sites.
The initiative underscores growing concerns over the unchecked proliferation of unregulated online gambling in Chile, a market that has expanded rapidly beyond the reach of existing laws. Senator Bianchi emphasized the need for legislative clarity, stating, 'What we are seeing is our courts having to resolve disputes without a law. This is not sustainable. A Gambling Act is the solution for providing clarity to citizens, operators and the State.'
Context of the Presidential Runoff Election
The introduction of this bill coincides with Chile's crucial presidential runoff election, scheduled for December 14, 2025. Voters are set to choose between leftist candidate Jeannette Jara and conservative contender José Antonio Kast. The timing places the issue of online gambling regulation firmly within the broader political discourse surrounding the country's future governance and economic policies.
Broader Regulatory Landscape and Legal Challenges
Senator Bianchi's proposal is a more focused effort within a larger, ongoing struggle to establish a comprehensive regulatory framework for online gambling in Chile. A broader 'Gambling Act' was initially introduced in 2023 by the Finance Ministry under President Gabriel Boric, aiming to create a unified federal framework for licensing, consumer protection, and sanctions against illegal operators. This comprehensive bill was approved by the Chamber of Deputies in December 2023 and has been progressing through the Senate, with the Senate Finance Committee giving its general approval in April 2024 and revisiting the matter in July and August 2025.
However, progress on the wider 'Gambling Act' stalled in 2024 due to significant legal challenges from local municipal casino operators, who raised concerns about contractual guarantees. This legislative delay has contributed to a regulatory vacuum, which Senator Bianchi's new bill aims to partially address by targeting advertising.
Supreme Court Rulings and Enforcement Difficulties
Further complicating the landscape, the Chilean Supreme Court recently issued a landmark ruling, declaring all online gambling illegal unless expressly authorized by law. This decision, made at the request of entities like the Concepción Lottery, mandated internet service providers (ISPs) such as Claro, Entel, GTD, Telefónica, WOM, and VTR to block access to unlicensed betting websites. The Court affirmed that only a limited number of entities, including the Concepción Lottery, Polla Chilena de Beneficencia, racetracks, and authorized casinos, have legal concessions for games of chance.
Despite these judicial orders, enforcement has proven challenging. Telecom regulator Subtel acknowledged that blocking measures have been largely ineffective, as offshore operators frequently rotate domain names faster than courts can issue new blocking orders. This difficulty in curbing illegal operations through technical means has highlighted the urgent need for robust legislative solutions, such as the advertising restrictions proposed by Senator Bianchi.
5 Comments
Africa
I agree that uncontrolled advertising for illegal sites is problematic, especially for vulnerable groups. However, the timing around the presidential election makes me wonder if this is more about political posturing than genuine legislative progress.
Habibi
While it's important to regulate offshore gambling to protect consumers, a piecemeal approach like this might not be as effective as a comprehensive Gambling Act. They need to address the root cause, not just the symptoms.
Bella Ciao
Censorship disguised as protection. This sets a dangerous precedent for media freedom.
Coccinella
Protecting citizens from predatory ads is crucial. This bill is a good start.
Muchacho
Protecting citizens from predatory gambling practices is crucial, and the current legal vacuum is unacceptable. However, focusing solely on advertising restrictions without resolving the broader 'Gambling Act' stalemate feels like a temporary fix that avoids the bigger, more complex economic and regulatory challenges.