Chile’s Senate Finance Commission approves online betting bill

Chile’s Senate Finance Commission has unanimously approved the general framework of Bill No. 14838-0, which seeks to regulate online betting platforms operating in the country. 

The bill sets out to protect players, ensure market competitiveness, increase fiscal transparency and generate tax revenue. 

It proposes a standardised 19% VAT on betting platforms, in line with other digital services, and includes no exemption for either local or foreign operators.

Undersecretary of Finance Heidi Berner, addressing the commission chaired by Senator Ximena Rincón, defended the proposed tax structure. 

She mentioned studies using global operator data showing that, when including VAT, the total tax burden would remain under 28%. 

She also rejected introducing any VAT exemptions, noting that all digital services in Chile are currently subject to the same rate.

The bill also includes provisions on responsible gambling, including potential tools for biometric verification, payment blocking and age restrictions to prevent access by minors. 

Over the course of the Finance Committee’s review, hearings were held with a wide range of stakeholders, including the national lottery, horseracing associations, licensed casinos, legal experts and representatives from platforms such as Betsson, Betano and Coolbet.

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Berner stated that the bill will incorporate mechanisms to block unlicensed platforms and facilitate enforcement against illegal operators once the market is regulated.

The legislation, which is under urgent status, now moves to a full Senate vote and will subsequently enter detailed review in the Economy and Finance committees.

Carlos Mendez

Writer

Odds tell a story long before the result does. When bettors learn to read that story properly, betting becomes a matter of discipline and value rather than emotion or guesswork.

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