Chilean Senate Committee Backs Online Gambling Prohibition

Chile’s Senate Economy Committee approved two substitute motions to prohibit online gambling, halting the Executive’s proposed regulatory framework. The decision occurred on Monday, November 10, 2026, marking a setback for the government’s efforts to regulate the sector.

What Happened

On Monday, November 10, 2026, the Chilean Senate Economy Committee, tasked with reviewing online gambling legislation, approved two substitute motions aimed at a definitive prohibition of online betting platforms. This decision contrasts with the Executive Branch’s proposal, submitted in late October, which sought to establish a regulated and taxed market for online gambling, according to SBC Noticias.

The vote concluded with three votes in favor, one against, and one abstention. Reports from La Tercera indicated that the approved motions were sponsored by Senate President Paulina Núñez and Senators Gastón Saavedra and Diego Ibáñez. Due to their identical objectives, these initiatives are slated for merger in the next session, according to Nuevo Poder.

These approved initiatives seek to amend the existing project, currently in its second constitutional process, which was originally presented by the Executive. While the government’s initial proposal aimed to create a regulated market through a licensing system, the new motions advocate for a complete ban on the operation and administration of online betting in Chile, including a prohibition on advertising these activities. The only exceptions outlined in these proposals are traditional operators such as Polla Chilena de Beneficencia, Lotería de Concepción, and the country’s racetracks.

Key Details

• On November 10, 2026, the Senate Economy Committee approved two motions to prohibit online gambling, with three votes in favor, one against, and one abstention, as reported by La Tercera.
• Subsecretary of Finance Sebastián Vallebona expressed regret that the Executive’s regulatory proposals, developed over three months, were not considered by the committee, according to Emol.
• The government’s 114-page regulatory package included five-year licenses costing 1,000 UTM annually, a complete ban on platform advertising regardless of licensing, a 19 percent VAT on the difference between stakes and payouts, and an additional 3 percent tax, according to SBC Noticias.
• The approved motions, sponsored by Senator Paulina Núñez, Gastón Saavedra, and Diego Ibáñez, will be merged in an upcoming session due to their similar objectives of prohibiting online gambling, according to La Tercera.

Why It Matters

The Senate Economy Committee’s decision represents a significant setback for the Chilean government’s efforts to regulate online gambling. Subsecretary of Finance Sebastián Vallebona stated that the opportunity to debate a regulation focused on family protection, preventing access by minors, and addressing problem gambling is now lost (Emol). Vallebona warned that without a regulatory framework, the experience demonstrates that unregulated operators may continue to operate. The Executive’s proposal aimed to establish a regulated market, generate tax revenue, and implement safeguards for players.

What’s Next

The approved prohibition motions will be merged in the next Senate Economy Committee session. According to Subsecretary Vallebona, the Executive’s proposed regulatory framework will not be discussed for the time being (Emol).