Pucón’s municipality isn’t messing around this time. Mayor Sebastián Álvarez has submitted a proposal to Chile’s gaming regulator that sets much tougher conditions for whoever wants to run the commune’s casino next.
This comes three months after Enjoy formally walked away from its permits in both Pucón and Coquimbo. The Superintendence of Casinos of Chile (SCJ) accepted that exit, and now the real work begins.
The municipality wants to avoid another operator backing out. So they’ve outlined what they’re calling “special conditions” that any bidder needs to meet.
Why Pucón Wants More This Time
The previous tender didn’t work out. Enjoy committed to certain terms, then later abandoned the whole thing.
That failure pushed local officials to demand stronger financial guarantees and tangible benefits for the area. They want a partner that’ll stick around and invest properly.
The minimum economic guarantee now sits at UF60,000. That’s about CLP2.3bn or $2.6m in real money. Álvarez called it a “realistic industry benchmark,” noting it’s at least half what Enjoy originally promised before pulling out.
But it’s not just about the cash upfront.
What Bidders Must Deliver
The requirements go beyond financial commitments. Any incoming operator has to build a venue that holds 1,500 people for events.
That’s a big ask. The municipality sees this as a way to position Pucón as more than just a casino town. They want conferences, cultural events, and entertainment that happens off the gaming floor.
Then there’s the workforce issue. The proposal requires keeping at least 80% of current casino employees. That’s a direct response to concerns about job losses when operators change hands.
The financial guarantee of UF60,000 represents a floor, not a ceiling. Bidders can (and probably should) offer more if they want to stand out.
How This Changes the Timeline
The SCJ’s Resolutive Council now has to review everything. They can approve Pucón’s demands as-is, or they can push back and make changes.
If things move smoothly, the tender opens in March 2026. Álvarez acknowledged that’s still months away, but said the priority is getting it right rather than rushing.
“The idea is to be as diligent as possible to prevent the market from being without an operator for a certain period,” he said. Translation: they don’t want a long gap, but they won’t cut corners either.
Chile’s broader regulatory environment is tightening up too. There’s political pressure on operators across multiple fronts, including proposals to restrict advertising. That context makes Pucón’s stricter approach part of a wider pattern.
