The changes were filed by President José Antonio Kast’s administration in a Senate bulletin dated October 26. Operators would pay 19% VAT on stakes minus prizes, plus a new 3% tax on the same base, replacing earlier plans for a 20% levy on gross gaming revenue and extra charges for sport and responsible gambling. Licenses would cost 1,000 UTM (about $73,500) a year, and operators applying for a transitional license would pay 3,000 UTM and settle VAT owed for the previous 36 months.
The Chilean Association of Online Betting Platforms (aPAL) said:
“If regulated platforms cannot promote themselves or offer competitive terms compared with illegal operators, the most important and fundamental condition for player protection will not have been met.”
The advertising ban would cover licensed and unlicensed platforms, as well as anyone who commissions, produces or broadcasts betting ads, and would start 30 days after the regulator has decided all transitional license applications. Temporary licensees could keep advertising under contracts signed before the law is published for up to a year after that. Until the ban starts, TV and radio ads would be limited to 10 pm to 6am and must include an addiction warning. Bonuses aimed at attracting or keeping players would also be prohibited.
