Overview
- A divided constitutional chamber granted Lotería de Concepción’s protection action against Claro, Entel, GTD, Movistar/Telefónica, WOM, and VTR.
- The court held that games of chance are illicit without express legal authorization, limiting lawful activity to Polla Chilena, Lotería de Concepción, licensed casinos, and hipódromos, with online play restricted to entities explicitly empowered such as Lotería, Polla, and Teletrak.
- Internet providers must immediately block the sites identified or show lawful authorization for access, with earlier refusals deemed illegal and arbitrary.
- Regulators estimate more than 900 sites serve Chilean users in a market of roughly $150 million per year, while a bill to regulate and tax online betting remains under discussion.
- The move follows expanded inquiries into betting firms’ ties to Chilean football leadership, with brands including Betano, Coolbet, JugaBet, and Betsson cited in reports.