Chile’s regulated casino industry reported falling revenue in 2025 as authorities intensified efforts to combat the rapid growth of illegal online gambling across the country.
According to a new report from the Asociación Chilena de Casinos y Juegos (ACCJ), land-based gross gaming revenue dropped 4.5% year-on-year to CLP509.8 billion ($597.5 million). Tax revenue generated by the sector also declined by 4.7%, reaching CLP214 million.
The ACCJ warned that licensed operators are increasingly losing market share to unregulated online gambling platforms. Estimates cited in the report valued Chile’s illegal online gambling market at approximately $3.1 billion.
Chile had 25 active casinos operating during 2025, including 22 venues licensed under Law 19.995 and three municipal casinos currently undergoing regulatory transition. Despite the stable number of properties, overall visitor numbers continued to weaken. Visits to authorised casinos fell 7.2% year-on-year to around 926,873.
The trade body renewed calls for stronger enforcement measures and tighter regulation targeting offshore and unlicensed operators. The issue has become a growing concern for policymakers and regulators as online gambling activity expands outside the country’s legal framework.
The ACCJ pointed to a recent Chilean Supreme Court decision ordering internet service providers to block illegal betting websites as a key step in addressing the problem. ACCJ president Cecilia Valdés welcomed the ruling, saying it provided important legal clarity that online gambling platforms operating without authorisation remain illegal in Chile.
Under current Chilean law, gambling is only permitted through authorised casinos, racetracks, the Concepción Lottery and Polla Chilena.
The report also highlighted rising concerns around youth gambling participation. A recent study referenced by the ACCJ found that 26% of young people in Chile had placed online bets during the previous 12 months.
At the legislative level, Chile continues to debate reforms aimed at regulating online betting. The country’s proposed online gambling bill, Boletín 14.838-03, advanced in the Senate last year after receiving broad support in a general vote and is now progressing through the amendment stage.