Key Takeaways

  • A University of San Sebastián survey found that 63.5% of respondents support strict government regulation of online gambling.
  • Another 30.8% favour a complete ban, while 4.3% support unrestricted online betting platforms.
  • Around 98.6% support mandatory identity verification and measures to prevent fraud and money laundering.
  • The findings come as Chilean lawmakers consider proposals that could prohibit private online gambling operators.

A survey conducted by the Public Policy Center at the University of San Sebastián (USS) has found that 63.5% of respondents in Chile support strict government regulation of online gambling platforms. The findings come as lawmakers continue debating how the country should address online betting, with proposals ranging from a regulated licensing system to a complete ban on private operators. The survey also found that 30.8% of respondents favour prohibiting online gambling altogether, while only 4.3% support allowing platforms to operate without restrictions.

Survey Finds Strong Support For Identity Checks And Consumer Protection Measures

The survey, titled “Chile Nos Habla de Apuestas en Línea,” examined public attitudes towards several aspects of online gambling, including age verification, financial crime prevention, taxation and player protection. According to the findings published by iGamingToday, the strongest areas of agreement concerned identity checks and safeguards against financial crime.

Around 98.6% of respondents said online gambling platforms should be required to verify users’ identities before allowing them to access betting services. The survey also found that 98.3% considered age and identity verification important for protecting minors, with 94.6% describing it as very important. These measures would require operators to establish checks that prevent underage users from registering and placing bets. Financial oversight also received considerable support. Some 98.6% of respondents identified the prevention of fraud, money laundering and the financing of organised crime as priorities for future legislation. In addition, 98.4% supported mandatory reporting of suspicious transactions, while 95% backed independent regulatory audits of licensed operators.

The survey also covered taxation and gambling-related harm. Around 95.3% of respondents supported requiring online betting companies to pay taxes in Chile. Meanwhile, 84.5% said legislation should allocate funds towards the prevention, research and treatment of problem gambling. Other proposed consumer protection measures also received majority support. These included mandatory deposit and spending limits, backed by 89.9% of respondents, a centralised self-exclusion register shared between online and land-based operators, supported by 86.3%, and controls on gambling session duration, which received 85.5% support.

Chile’s Online Gambling Bill Faces Debate Over Possible Ban

The survey results come as Chile’s proposed online gambling legislation faces disagreement over how private betting platforms should be treated. The bill, which seeks to establish rules for online betting, remains under consideration in the country’s Senate. The Senate’s Economy Committee approved two amendments proposing to prohibit private online gambling operators. Both proposals received three votes in favour, one against and one abstention. One proposal would prohibit the operation, management and offering of online betting services, while another seeks to restrict platforms without legal authorisation.

The decision had disagreements between lawmakers and government representatives over whether the sector should be regulated through licences or prohibited. The government had proposed a licensing framework with requirements covering taxation, advertising and player protection. However, the committee’s decision meant that its proposed amendments were not considered during that session. The government’s proposal included five-year licences, a 19% VAT on the difference between bets received and prizes paid, and an additional 3% tax. It also included restrictions on advertising and provisions for a fund addressing gambling-related harm. The committee’s amendments are expected to be combined into a single text before the bill continues through the legislative process. NEXT.io reported that the proposal must still pass through the Senate’s Finance Committee before returning to the full Senate for a vote.

The committee decision does not mean that a nationwide ban has been enacted. The legislation remains under consideration, and its final form will depend on further discussions and votes. The survey and the committee decision reflect two different parts of the debate. While most respondents favour strict oversight rather than unrestricted betting or a complete ban, lawmakers are still considering whether private operators should be allowed to participate in a regulated market. The outcome of the legislative process will determine how Chile approaches online gambling in the coming years.

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