Chile: Social rejection of online betting grows, bill stalled
Public perception of the iGaming industry in Chile is facing a moment of high tension. According to the results of the most recent Plaza Pública CADEM survey, 54% of citizens are against betting platforms operating in the country, compared to 38% who support their activity. The survey highlights a massive level of awareness about the sector: 91% of Chileans claim to have heard of these sites, and among those who identify them, 30% admit to having bet on them at least once. These data reflect an industry with deep penetration into daily life, but one that has not yet managed to consolidate its social license in public opinion.
The report details a majority rejection of operators' marketing strategies, especially their links to sports and mass media. 67% of respondents oppose advertising on television and the sponsorship of football teams, while 66% reject the sponsorship of sporting events. In the digital sphere, 63% disagree with ads on social media. This advertising resistance is compounded by a critical concern for the vulnerability of minors: 92% of respondents emphatically reject young people accessing these platforms. In fact, 8% of parents admitted to knowing that their minor children have used these sites, a figure that highlights the urgency of stricter access controls.
This public opinion climate contrasts with the slow progress in Congress. Although the Senate generally approved the bill last August, the initiative returned to the joint Finance and Economy committees for specific analysis, without significant progress since then. The bill, which already has half approval from the Chamber of Deputies since December 2023, seeks to establish a competitive and transparent market that guarantees the certification of randomness, the protection of mental health, and an estimated tax collection of 84 billion pesos annually (approx. 87 million dollars).
The scenario becomes even more complex after the Supreme Court ruling that, at the end of September, ordered the country's main internet providers (Claro, Entel, Movistar, WOM, among others) to immediately block betting platforms. This judicial measure, coupled with legislative paralysis and citizen skepticism, places Chile in a zone of regulatory uncertainty. While the State seeks a way to formalize the activity and capture tax revenue, the industry faces the challenge of reversing a public image marked by distrust and the demand for more robust protection for the most vulnerable sectors of society.
Tags: Chile, Chile gambling regulation, online gambling Chile, Plaza Pública CADEM survey Chile