Chile does not yet have a regulated online gambling framework, but the country is moving closer to establishing one.
In August 2025, the Senate unanimously approved the latest bill to regulate online betting and casino games, marking a major step forward in the legislative process.
One of the most debated provisions in the current bill is the introduction of a “cooling-off period”.
Under this measure, operators that have been active in the Chilean “grey market” before regulation would be barred from applying for a license for up to one year after the law comes into force. And if they want to apply, they will have to pay taxes for the time they operated before the regulation (taking into account up to 36 months of operations prior to the regulation).
This has sparked strong discussions among local and international stakeholders.
Current status of online gambling in Chile
For several years, the Chilean market has been dominated by international operators such as Betano, Betsson, 1xBet, Tonybet, Betsala, Rojabet, Coolbet, and Jugabet. These brands have captured significant market share by investing heavily in marketing and sponsorships.
Many of them sponsor the country’s leading football teams and national tournaments, and have established a strong presence across multiple channels: digital campaigns, programmatic advertising, TV and radio commercials, billboards, and other offline media. Local ambassadors, including ex-football players and TV presenters, are frequently used to boost brand recognition and credibility.
This long-standing activity in Chile makes the future licensing process particularly relevant, especially given the proposed restrictions for operators that have been active prior to regulation.
How will online gambling regulation in Chile look like?
The proposed law establishes that all digital betting platforms operating in Chile will be subject to a 19% VAT, resulting in a total tax burden estimated at no more than 28%.
Licenses will only be available to platforms incorporated as Chilean companies, with requirements related to minimum capital, ownership transparency, and strict responsible gaming policies.
Many requirements for operators are still to be defined, such as the type and amount of the bank guarantee, possible minimum financial requirements, the structure and collection of the gambling tax, and other key conditions for obtaining a license.
How Itzitip can help
At Itzitip, once the regulation is officially enacted, we will be ready to support operators, game studios, testing laboratories, and any other gambling-related businesses with all matters related to licensing and compliance in Chile.
We will be able to assist with the incorporation of local entities in Chile, the appointment and management of a legal representative in the country, communications with the regulator, and the entire licensing application process.
Beyond obtaining the license, we will also support ongoing obligations such as managing local tax filings and ensuring full compliance with fiscal, regulatory, and responsible gaming requirements.