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Regulation · 4 min

Chile Senate committee backs online betting ban amendments

10 Nov 2026 ·

A curved concrete hall in warm evening light, with Chilean flags and palm trees in the plaza. · Bonusjungle illustration

Chile's Senate Economy Committee has approved two amendments that would turn the government's online-betting licensing bill into a ban. The bill is not law yet; the proposals still have to be merged and the text remains in committee.

Last updated: 10 Nov 2026, 08:04 CET

Chile's Senate Economy Committee approved two substitute amendments on 9 November that would turn the government's bill to licence online betting platforms (Boletín 14.838-03) into a ban. The amendments are not law. The bill is still in its second constitutional stage in the same committee.

Both proposals run against the executive's bill, which would regulate and tax the activity. According to La Tercera, committee chair Gastón Saavedra (PS) said the two texts would be merged at the next session, "la otra semana" (the following week).

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The two amendments

One amendment is sponsored by Senate President Paulina Núñez (RN), together with Senator María José Gatica, according to a statement published by G5noticias and to CNN Chile. As described there, it would close off a new licence market for the platforms, provide for permanent court-ordered blocking of sites, including new addresses used to evade an order, and measures on payment services. In aggravated cases — deliberately targeting minors, or continuing after a final blocking ruling — it would allow prison terms of up to 15 years and fines of up to 10,000 UTM (unidad tributaria mensual, Chile's monthly tax unit).

The second, sponsored by Senators Diego Ibáñez (Frente Amplio) and Saavedra, is set out in their statement published by G5noticias. It would prohibit operating, administering, offering and advertising, directly or indirectly, online betting platforms in Chile. A platform would count as operating in Chile if it allows betting from Chilean territory, wherever its servers or domain are. Exempt, under their special laws, would be Polla Chilena de Beneficencia, Lotería de Concepción, authorised racetracks and casinos under Law 19.995. The stated penalty for acting for profit is 541 days to five years in prison and fines of 200 to 1,000 UTM. Internet providers, app stores and payment companies would have 10 calendar days from detection or court notice to block access, downloads and transactions. Contracts in breach would have an unlawful object (*objeto ilícito*).

How the vote is reported

The outlets do not describe the vote in the same way.

SourceWhat it says about the vote
La Tercera (Carlos Alonso, 9 Nov)The committee approved the two amendments "por 3 votos a favor; 1 en contra y una abstención" (3–1–1)
ADN Radio (Martín Neut, 9 Nov)"La indicación" (the amendment, singular) was approved by three votes in favour, one against and one abstention, despite objections from the executive
Núñez/Gatica statement via G5noticiasTheir amendment passed with the votes of Manuel José Ossandón, Ibáñez and Saavedra; Matías Walker abstained. The Ibáñez/Saavedra amendment (no. 2) passed with Walker against and Paulina Vodanovic abstaining

Those accounts are not combined into a single official tally here. The Senate's own committee record for the sitting was not opened.

ADN Radio reports that Ibáñez cited a Supreme Court position on the platforms' illegality, and that Walker argued against a ban in favour of regulation.

For the government's earlier package of advertising, bonus and tax amendments to the same bill, see our 28 October report.

Updates

  • 10 Nov 2026: first published.
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