The ruling upheld a protection appeal filed by Lotería de Concepción, a licensed Chilean gambling company, against internet providers that allow the operation of illegal online sports casinos.
The decision orders internet providers to "block access to the websites of online sports betting companies operating without legal authorization in the country," without specifying when the measure will take effect.
Gambling in Chile is regulated by law, and only horse racing betting, the Lotería de Concepción, and the Chilean Charity Lottery (Polla Chilena) are authorized, along with the 22 existing land-based casinos in the country and small charity raffles.
Lotería de Concepción donates its profits to fund higher education institutions. The Chilean Charity Lottery is a state body.
According to data from the Superintendency of Gambling Casinos, there are approximately 900 sites from which online gambling can be accessed in Chile, in a market that generates between US$130 million and US$170 million annually.
In 2022, the government of leftist Gabriel Boric introduced a bill to Congress to regulate the operation of these online platforms. The aim is to limit access to minors and generate tax revenue.
In a public statement, the Association of Online Gambling Platforms lamented the Supreme Court's ruling and called on the government to regulate the activity in the country.
Source: GMB / AFP
