The initiative seeks to address the problem of pathological gambling, a disorder recognized by the World Health Organization. In this regard, Alejandro Navarro, parliamentary precursor of the project, said that "a study of the Superintendence of Casinos and Gaming, conducted by the Catholic University in 87 communes in 2016, showed that in Chile there would be more than 33 thousand machines that are operating out of the law".
"This cadastre was applied in three thousand commercial establishments that have a municipal patent, of which 1,327 have machines that give prizes in money, that is, they are by chance, so according to current regulations could only be in the establishments enabled," he added.
According to those who support the measure, these machines have meant the intrusion into their regulation, of the Comptroller's Office, superintendencies, municipalities and courts, with a high cost in State resources. What, nevertheless, has not prevented that they continue proliferating in streets and neighborhoods of the country.
Source: GMB / Biobiochile.cl
