Chile looking to UK iGaming regulation model
The Association of Online Betting Platforms of Chile (aPAL) has sealed a strategic cooperation agreement with the Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) of the United Kingdom. This agreement arises at a critical moment: with a new government in Chile and the urgent need to reactivate the bill that will put an end to the "grey zone" of online betting in the Andean country.
A bridge to the British gold standard
The United Kingdom is considered one of the most mature and rigorous markets in the world. By partnering with the BGC — which represents 90% of the British industry — Chilean operators send a clear message to the authorities: they want modern regulation, not prohibitionist.
Carlos Baeza, representative of aPAL, was emphatic about the current situation:
"Today online gambling in Chile operates without supervision. This leaves players vulnerable and the State without visibility. We have the opportunity to implement a robust framework that combats illegality and generates public benefits."
The pillars of the aPAL - BGC agreement
The agreement, which will have an initial duration of one year, will focus on three fundamental pillars for the Chilean market:
- Transfer of "Know-How": Exchange of best practices on licensing models.
- Consumer Protection: Implementation of Responsible Gambling standards based on British experience.
- Economic Sustainability: Design of a tax scheme that allows channeling gambling towards regulated sites and not the black market.
The support of the international industry
Grainne Hurst, executive director of the BGC, emphasized that Chile is at a "turning point." According to Hurst, the success of the British model demonstrates that effective supervision is the only way for the industry to thrive while raising safety standards for the bettor.
This agreement not only positions aPAL as the main technical interlocutor before the Chilean Congress, but also paves the way for other countries in the region to seek international benchmarks in their race for regulation.
Tags: Chile, aPAL, BGC, online casinos Chile, online betting regulation Chile