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Chile’s Senate Economy Committee approved two amendments on 11 November 2026 that would ban online gambling platforms, overturning the government’s plan to license and tax private operators.
Vote that turns the bill
The vote, 3-1 with one abstention, followed submissions from Senate President Paulina Núñez and National Renewal Senator María José Gatica, and from Socialist Party chair Gastón Saavedra and Broad Front Senator Diego Ibáñez. Saavedra said the texts would merge in the next session.
What the ban would mean for operators
The amendments would eliminate the proposed five-year licences, 19% VAT on the difference between bets and prizes, and an extra 3% levy. Instead, any platform that takes bets from Chile would be considered operating in the country, regardless of where its servers or domain sit. State lottery operators, authorised racetracks and land-based casinos would be exempt.
Offenders could face between 541 days and five years in prison and fines of 200 to 1,000 UTM, Chile’s inflation-linked monthly tax unit. Internet providers, app stores and payment companies would have to block access, downloads and transactions.
The Núñez and Gatica amendment adds a private licensing ban and allows courts to block illegal sites permanently, restricting their payments and advertising. Serious cases could bring up to 15 years in prison and fines of up to 10,000 UTM.
Senator Diego Ibáñez defended reopening the debate, citing a Supreme Court ruling that declared the business illegal and ordered all online betting houses to close. Independent Senator Matías Walker opposed the ban, arguing that regulation would force operators to license and pay tax.
Deputy Finance Minister Sebastián Vallebona suggested that rejecting the government’s plan would leave children less protected from gambling addiction. RN Senator Manuel José Ossandón countered that claim.
The Chamber of Deputies has already passed the bill, and the Senate approved it in principle. The Economy Committee is now reviewing it line by line, with the Finance Committee scheduled to examine it next.
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