In March, in the wake of the pandemic, the SCJ ordered all operators to close gambling halls indefinitely. Three months after that decision, the sector is still under pressure, the reopening date is still unknown and there is growing concern among the municipalities, which, in some cases, practically depend on the resources generated by companies of this industry.
This week, in the session of the investigative commission on the control of gambling casinos in the Chamber of Deputies, the superintendent Vivien Villagrán addressed this situation at the same time as the entity advances in the elaboration of the necessary protocols and control measures that are required to operate again.
"The opening will require a series of adaptations to health protocols by which the number of people who will be able to attend and the number of gaming machines will be reduced," Villagrán said. For example, the full use of the slots will not be allowed. This will have an impact on casino revenue, since 80% comes from gaming machines.
The superintendent pointed out to the commission's parliamentarians that when the venues were ordered closed in March, it was projected that the industry's 2020 gross income would be 47% of that obtained in 2019, assuming that casinos could enter in operation in July. However, since the reopening will not occur in that month, that number will have to be adjusted. Now, the date that is managed to reopen is September or even, October.
"Given the evolution of the pandemic we see less and less likely, and according to the information that we are constantly testing from the health authority and experts in this area, the probability that this activity will open is closer to September or October," Villagrán said.
Villagrán also revealed how important is the specific gaming tax for the municipalities where operate gaming venus created by the Casino Law. The municipalities that lead this list are Rinconada and San Francisco de Mostazal, where these funds represent 62% and 55% of the treasury. Two of the casinos that generate more income are located in these communes: Enjoy Santiago and Sun Dreams Monticello. On average, in the communes where non-municipal gaming casinos operate, the figure reaches 9.9%.
In the communes with municipal casino, where the contribution percentage is established in the concession contract, Viña del Mar leads, in which the participation of these funds in the effective income of the municipality is 24%. In Pucón, meanwhile, the figure is 17%; in Iquique, 11%, and in Coquimbo, 10%.
Source: GMB / La Tercera
