Chile Opens Bidding for Two Casino Operating Permits

Chile’s Superintendencia de Casinos de Juego (SCJ) initiated a new process for granting two casino operating permits on October 26, 2026. This includes one permit for the Aysén Region and another for national allocation.

What Happened

The Superintendencia de Casinos de Juego (SCJ) of Chile officially commenced a new process for awarding two casino operating permits. One permit is designated for the reserve quota in the Aysén Region, and the other is for a nationwide casino operation, according to SBC Noticias.

Interested parties, whether applying for a new operating permit or renewing an existing one, can access technical specifications, the application system, and its user manual via the SCJ’s institutional website. This marks the beginning of the preparation phase for technical and economic offers, with a submission deadline of 120 business days. The presentation hearing for these offers is scheduled for Monday, April 12, 2027.

Within a 10-business-day window, ending November 3, 2026, applicants can submit inquiries and requests for clarification via email as specified in the technical guidelines. The SCJ has a 15-day period to respond to these inquiries. Following the offer presentation hearing, the SCJ will have 120 business days to evaluate the technical offers using the methodology detailed in the technical specifications.

Key Details

• The SCJ initiated a new permitting process for one casino operation in the Aysén Region and one national casino operation (SBC Noticias).
• Applicants have 120 business days to prepare and submit their technical and economic offers (SBC Noticias).
• The presentation hearing for offers is scheduled for April 12, 2027 (SBC Noticias).
• A period for consultations and clarifications runs until November 3, 2026, with the SCJ providing responses within 15 days (SBC Noticias).

Why It Matters

This process signifies the Chilean regulator’s efforts to manage and expand its regulated casino market by allocating new operational licenses. The structured timeline, including specific deadlines for consultations, submissions, and evaluations, underscores the regulatory framework governing the casino industry in Chile. Simultaneously, the Superintendencia de Casinos de Juego (SCJ) and the Subsecretaría de Telecomunicaciones (Subtel) are facing legal challenges from online gaming operators Latamwin and Epicbet. These companies have filed protective appeals against orders to block their domains for operating outside the country’s regulatory framework, as reported by La Tercera.

Latamwin alleges a violation of its right to economic activity, citing its international licenses and registration with Chile’s Servicio de Impuestos Internos (SII) in July 2026. The company maintains its business is real and structured, asserting that while the SII identifies it as a foreign taxpayer, the legality of its operations in Chile is a separate matter. Epicbet, whose initial appeal was deemed inadmissible by the Court of Appeals, has since appealed to the Supreme Court. The company claims that Subtel issued four blocking circulars between August 31 and September 28, 2026, with increasing frequency and without adequate transparency for affected parties. Epicbet also contends that Subtel distorted the original court order by removing the exclusive condition of the twelve sites initially included in the judgment. In September 2026, Subtel blocked a total of 59 sites in Chile.

What’s Next

The next steps in the permitting process include the consultation period ending November 3, 2026, followed by the submission of offers and the presentation hearing on April 12, 2027. The SCJ will then proceed with the evaluation of technical offers within 120 business days of the presentation hearing. Meanwhile, legal proceedings involving Latamwin and Epicbet against the SCJ and Subtel are ongoing, with Epicbet’s appeal now before the Supreme Court.

Originally reported by SBC Noticias·Published 26 Oct 2026, 13:28