Chilean Senate President Paulina Núñez Proposes Up to 15 Years in Prison for Illegal Gambling Operators

Chilean Senate President Paulina Núñez has introduced a substitute amendment to the bill regulating online gambling platforms. The proposal would establish prison sentences of up to 15 years for those who promote illegal betting sites in aggravated cases.

The initiative seeks to prevent the expansion of the illegal market, protect families, and close digital spaces that could be exploited by organized crime. It also sets fines of up to 10,000 UTM, criminal liability for legal entities, and treats the use of false identities or fictitious corporate structures as an aggravating factor, as reported by Yogonet International.

Enforcement Mechanisms and Business Structure Targets

The amendment provides for a judicial procedure allowing permanent blocking of websites, applications, and channels used for illegal betting. Dynamic mechanisms would extend those restrictions to new platforms created to evade the bans.

Restrictions on certain payment services are included, along with criminal penalties for those who knowingly finance or commercially promote the platforms. “The State must act against the entire business structure, not just its digital facade,” Núñez said.

Protections for Vulnerable Groups and Critique of Tax Focus

The proposal addresses vulnerable groups by prohibiting minors from participating through identity verification mechanisms. It establishes preventive measures against problem gambling, including voluntary betting limits and self-exclusion procedures.

Núñez criticized the legislative debate for centering on potential tax revenue from legalized betting sites. “The State cannot become a tax partner in a problem it has a duty to prevent,” she stressed.

These provisions target the full chain of illegal operations rather than surface-level activity alone.

Reporting: Yogonet International

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