The 25 land-based casinos in Chile generated CLP 145.19 billion (Chilean pesos), which is equivalent to US$153.9 million, in the first quarter of 2025. The data is from the country’s Superintendence of Gaming Casinos (SCJ).
According to SCJ, while this represents a nominal increase of 1% from the US$143.4 billion in the first quarter of 2024, revenue fell 3.7% in real terms (adjusted for inflation and other economic factors).
In addition, the number of visitors to casinos also decreased by 3.7% in the first quarter, reaching 1,788,327. Of this total, 1,689,729 were visits to casinos authorized by Law No. 19,995, generating gross revenue of CLP 135.3 billion (US$ 143.4 million).
However, while casino visits decreased, spending increased. The average spend per visit was CLP 80,079 (USD 85.16), representing a 0.7% increase from the previous year.
Tax revenue on gaming also falls in the first quarter
According to information from SCJ, the drop in tax revenue was expected. In the first quarter, regulated casinos contributed CLP 51.962 billion (US$55.1 million) in taxes.
This represents a 3.4% reduction in real terms from the US$51.222 billion (US$54.3 million) raised in the first quarter of 2024.
Country remains without regulation of online casinos
While land-based casinos contribute significantly to the economy, online gambling remains unregulated in Chile. This means that online sports betting and casino operators are exempt from taxes, supervision, and responsible gaming requirements.
Efforts to introduce iGaming regulations began in 2021. However, efforts gained momentum only in December 2023, when the House of Representatives approved a bill to legalize and regulate online gambling.
Despite this, the legislation has been stalled in the Senate ever since. There are many reasons for the lack of progress. One of them is the intervention of the Supreme Court, which demands that Chilean authorities recognize and prosecute online gambling as an illegal activity.
The lack of regulation means that illegal operators continue to thrive. This has raised concerns that Chile could become a target for illegal platforms that have recently ceased operating in other countries in the region, such as Brazil and Peru, which have recently begun regulating their markets.
Market regulation has brought benefits. For example, in the first month, Brazil approved 173 online gaming brands, each of which contributed to tax collection.
Meanwhile, according to the country’s gaming regulator, Peru has seen a 40% drop in traffic to illegal platforms.
