The Chilean Casino and Gaming Association (ACCJ) has welcomed the Chile Supreme Court’s ruling to order the blocking of illegal gambling sites.
On Tuesday, by a vote of three to two, the Third Chamber of the Supreme Court ordered internet service providers to block access to illegal sports betting websites in Chile.
The decision upholds a protection appeal filed by the Concepción Lottery and reverses an April lower court ruling that refused to block platforms which were operating illegally.
The Court ruled that refusing to block such platforms was illegal, as only companies with legal authorisation should offer online sports betting. It found that unauthorised sites harmed the lottery’s exclusive concession rights, violating its constitutional property guarantees.
Under current law, gambling is illegal in Chile unless offered by the Concepción Lottery, Polla Chilena, racetracks or at expressly authorised gambling casinos.
Internet service providers such as Claro Chile and Empresa Nacional de Telecomunicaciones must immediately block all websites requested by the Concepción Lottery.
“It is hereby ordered that the respondents may not broadcast or promote games of chance unless they provide legal authorisation and authorisation from the administrative authority,” the Supreme Court’s ruling read.
Supreme Court ruling sends a message to illegal sites
The ACCJ believes the Supreme Court’s ruling sends a “strong signal” to illegal online gambling operators.
In its view, the ruling confirms the ACCJ’s long-held claims that online gambling operators operate outside the law, without government oversight.
ACCJ president Cecilia Valdes said on Thursday: “We deeply appreciate the Supreme Court’s clear ruling on online gambling platforms, stating that they are illegal in Chile.”
According to the ACCJ, the ruling establishes a “significant legal precedent” and sends a warning to authorities, operators and the Chilean public that illegal gambling cannot be normalised.
The body expects the Chilean Department of Telecommunications and internet service providers to fully comply with the Supreme Court’s ruling.
Fresh calls for online gambling regulation in Chile
In addition, the ACCJ has called on Congress to advance the bill to regulate online gambling in Chile.
A bill was introduced in 2022 and passed by the Chamber of Deputies the following year. However, progress has since stalled, with the bill currently stuck in the Senate.
Valdes and the ACCJ hope the ruling marks another step in the right direction towards a regulated online gambling market in Chile.
“The next step is clear: enforce the ruling and move forward responsibly with serious regulations that respect the principle of legality and ensure fair competition,” Valdes continued. “We cannot allow legislation to be passed under pressure from actors who have operated illegally.
“Chile needs modern regulations, but ones built on compliance with the law, not pressure from those who have violated it. The most important thing today is that the discussion puts the consumer at the centre, that safeguards be set for those who legitimately seek entertainment.”
As Chile awaits progress on online gambling regulation, the Supreme Court has clamped down on illegal operators.