Chile advances ban on illegal online gambling ads
The Chilean Senate began analyzing a new initiative presented by Senator Karim Bianchi that seeks to prohibit and sanction the dissemination of advertising related to online gambling and sports betting operated by platforms that do not have legal authorization in the country.
The proposal arises in a context marked by the Supreme Court ruling that ordered the main telecommunications companies to block access to online betting sites considered illegal. According to Bianchi, this precedent reinforces the need to stop the promotion of platforms that operate outside national regulations.
A proposal with significant financial penalties
The project proposes to incorporate Article 476 bis into the Penal Code, which establishes fines ranging from 500 to 1,000 Monthly Tax Units for those who disseminate, promote, or advertise directly or indirectly the operation or access to betting platforms without valid authorization in Chile.
The sanction would apply to both natural persons and entities responsible for media outlets, sports clubs, digital platforms, or legal representatives who allow the dissemination of this type of advertising.
The text argues that aggressive advertising associated with online gambling encourages problematic behaviors, linking sports success and quick enrichment with activities that can lead to addiction and social, economic, and family harm.
Changes in the Telecommunications Law
Additionally, the initiative contemplates adding a paragraph to Article 24 of the General Telecommunications Law. This would require internet service providers to implement mechanisms to block access to websites, domains, or subdomains that offer illegal online betting.
Application of the ruling and technical limits
At the end of November, Chile Telcos announced that operators such as Claro, Entel, GTD, Telefónica, WOM, and VTR have already implemented the blocking ordered by the Supreme Court. However, the association warned that platforms can circumvent these restrictions by changing their URL addresses or using tools like VPNs.
The president of Chile Telcos, Alfie Ulloa, recalled that providers cannot discriminate content without a judicial or administrative order, and highlighted that the digital ecosystem allows multiple access routes that make absolute blocking difficult.
Tags: Chile, Chile Senate, Chile betting advertising, betting advertising blocking