Chilean senators announced about two backed amendments that will prohibit online betting, challenging the government’s plan to license and tax private operators.
The two amendments were approved by Senate Economy Committee with three votes to one, with one abstention. Both would block a regulated private online gambling market but propose different penalties. First amendment was submitted by Senate President Paulina Núñez and National Renewal Senator María José Gatica. The second came from committee chair Gastón Saavedra and Broad Front Senator Diego Ibáñez.
Amendments propose different penalties
The voting results cast doubt over the government’s regulatory plans that were outlined on 26 October, proposing the introduction of a five-year license, a 19% VAT on the betting difference, a 3% additional fee. The Saavedra-Ibáñez bill will not only bar operations, deliveries, and advertisements of betting platforms in Chile without regard to the location but also provide for certain exemptions for state lotteries, authorized racetracks, and land casinos.
Operators will face from 541 days to five years in prison and fines from 200 to 1000 UTM. Service providers, application stores, and payment processing companies will also be liable for ceasing to provide their services.
The Núñez-Gatica amendment forbids private operators as well, allowing courts to stop illegal gaming platforms.
The Chamber of Deputies has passed the bill, and the Senate has approved it in principle. The Economy Committee is now reviewing it article by article before it moves to the Senate Finance Committee.
