Chilean Betting Operators Contest Scope of Website Blocking Orders
Two operators challenged Chile’s DNS blocks on 42 URLs plus 37 more domains, claiming authorities exceeded original Supreme Court orders on 12 sites. One case admitted without relief; the other deemed inadmissible. This unfolds as the Senate extends its online betting bill deadline to Oct. 26 for a licensed market framework.
SCCG Take — The actions expose procedural ambiguities in Chile’s interim enforcement, likely requiring tighter validation steps before licensed betting rules take effect.
Two online betting operators have challenged Chile’s website blocking regime in court, alleging that gambling and telecommunications authorities exceeded the scope of the judicial orders underpinning the restrictions.
W&C N.V., operator of Latamwin and WinChile, and the operator of Epicbet filed separate constitutional protection actions against the Superintendence of Casinos (SCJ) and the Undersecretariat of Telecommunications (Subtel).
Challenges to Blocking of 42 URLs and 37 Additional Domains
The actions contest instructions to internet providers to block 42 URLs, followed by a further 37 domains, subdomains and mirror sites. W&C N.V. argued that Latamwin and WinChile were not among the 12 websites identified in the original Supreme Court proceedings and were neither mirrors nor redirects of those domains, according to reporting by G3 Newswire.
The Santiago Court of Appeals admitted the W&C N.V. case for consideration and requested reports from the SCJ and Subtel. It did not grant immediate relief, so the sites remained blocked. The Epicbet action was declared inadmissible, leaving the Supreme Court to determine whether the case should proceed.
The SCJ has maintained that it followed the court-established procedure and merely validated addresses presented through it. Subtel has said its role is technical rather than discretionary.
Extended Senate Deadline for Online Betting Legislation
The disputes come as Chile’s Senate considers legislation governing online betting. The bill, in its second constitutional stage, would establish a licensed market with consumer protections, responsible gambling rules, advertising restrictions, safeguards for minors and measures against unlicensed operators.
The Senate extended the deadline for amendments until 26 October after the original deadline expired at noon on 16 October without the government submitting its amendments. Claudio Alvarado, Interior and Public Security Minister, said the government needed more time to continue technical discussions and consultations to develop proposals that could secure consensus.
Reporting: G3 Newswire
Generated by SCCG’s automated editorial system from published source reporting. SCCG Management holds editorial responsibility.
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