Chile Orders Blocks on 143 Gambling Sites as Senators Seek Ban

The latest figures emerged during an October 20 hearing. Subtel head Romina Garrido reported the 143 blocking instructions, while acting casino superintendent Eduardo Cáceres gave the higher referral total (174), according to Diario Financiero.

Subtel Expands Blocking List to 143 Sites

Chile began applying its court-backed DNS blocking procedure in August. The first two public notices covered:

• September 1 – 42 gambling URLs sent to six internet providers;
• September 21 – 37 additional domains, including mirror addresses associated with international betting brands;
• October 20 – Subtel reported blocking instructions covering 143 sites.

The two September notices covered 79 addresses in total. By October 20, Subtel had reported blocking instructions for 143 sites – 64 more, an increase of 81%.

Cáceres gave a separate breakdown of the 174 URLs referred by the Superintendencia de Casinos de Juego (SCJ). Lotería de Concepción accounted for 125 and Polla Chilena de Beneficencia for 49.

The difference between the 174 referrals and Subtel’s 143 instructions is 31 addresses. Those totals measure different stages of the blocking process and do not establish how many websites remain accessible.

Operators File Ten Legal and Administrative Challenges

Betting companies are contesting the blocking process. By October 20, the disputes included one separate lawsuit, three judicial challenges and six administrative appeals, La Tercera reported.

Coolbet, EpicBet and Grupo Latamwin were involved in judicial proceedings. Betano, Estelarbet, Betsala and Jugabet had also submitted administrative challenges. Latamwin’s separate lawsuit questions whether Subtel and the SCJ have the authority to determine the legality of online betting platforms.

Garrido told lawmakers that operators have been changing their domains to get around restrictions. The existing procedure allows authorities to identify and block new addresses associated with the same platforms.

Senate Proposal Includes 15-Year Prison Terms

With amendments due by October 26 at noon, Chile’s Senate is considering competing changes to online betting bill 14.838-03.

Senate President Paulina Núñez has proposed reserving authorised online gambling for established entities such as Polla Chilena and Lotería de Concepción. Her proposal includes prison sentences of up to 15 years in aggravated cases, permanent judicial blocking orders and penalties for knowingly promoting illegal gambling operations.

Senators Gastón Saavedra and Diego Ibáñez have also proposed banning private betting platforms, but their version would give operators registered with Chile’s tax authority up to 24 months to continue operating. It would introduce penalties for unauthorised gambling and advertising while exempting bettors from punishment, according to BioBioChile’s account.

The main question now is whether Chile will allow private operators to obtain licences or reserve the market for existing gambling entities.