Chilean iGaming Boom: Industry Association Forecasts Billion-Dollar Market by 2030

In Chile, the online gambling market stands at a critical crossroads. While nations like Brazil and Peru have already established firm regulatory grounds, the legislative process in Santiago has hit a significant impasse. To increase pressure on policymakers and advocate for an orderly regulation, several major operators have joined forces to form the Responsible iGaming Association (AGR). The mission of this new body is to represent the industry before the government and work toward a licensing system that benefits both player protection and the national treasury. The current environment is characterized by legal uncertainty, even as public interest in digital betting continues to surge.

The founding members of the association are well-known entities in the sector. Betano, Betsala, Estelarbet, Juegalo, and Novibet form the core of the new organization. They are entering the fray at a time when Chile is at risk of becoming a haven for unregulated operators pushed out of other Latin American markets. The executive director of the new association emphasizes that a lack of regulation does not mean the market is non-existent. Instead, the services are already being used but without any state oversight. A clear legal framework would resolve this by bringing operators out of the gray zone.

Numbers and facts

The economic stakes in the current debate are immense. Projections from consultancy H2 Gambling Capital suggest that Chile's online gambling market could reach a value of $1.445 billion by 2030. This would position Chile as one of the most attractive regulated gaming markets in Latin America. In comparison, other experts estimate the current market, including informal activities, reached approximately $3.1 billion in 2024. Under a fully regulated system, this could generate up to $800 million in annual tax revenue for the government.

However, the legislative path remains arduous. A bill to establish a licensing system was approved in general in August 2025, but it has since stalled in the Senate. There, it must undergo a second constitutional process before it can move to a final floor vote. A point of significant concern is the recent removal of the bill's urgency status. Industry representatives fear that the 2025 election year could further delay progress. To date, only 25 platforms have signed up for a special tax registry to pay digital VAT, including AGR members like Betano.

Background

Resistance to regulation comes not only from the political sphere but also from established land-based casinos. Cecilia Valdés, president of the Chilean Casino Association (ACCJ), has been a vocal critic of the current situation. She argues that online platforms have been advertising heavily for years, creating a false perception of legality among the public. According to Valdés, mere tax registration without a comprehensive licensing law only deepens consumer confusion. The industry remains divided while the illegal market flourishes and players act without government protection.

Sandra Kemp, Executive Director of AGR, see the association's primary role in collaborating with other bodies like AgruGaming. The goal is to create a framework that secures jobs and supports sports development in Chile.

"Our goal is to ensure that the industry operates under a clear regulatory framework that contributes to public revenues through taxes, creates employment opportunities, and promotes the development of sports in Chile." - Sandra Kemp, Executive Director of AGR

Why it matters for German players

The situation in Chile mirrors the long-standing debates in Germany prior to the 2021 Interstate Treaty on Gambling. For German players, the South American situation offers a key insight: without a central authority like the Gemeinsame Glücksspielbehörde der Länder (GGL), a market remains confusing and unsafe. In Germany, the GGL whitelist clearly defines who is allowed to operate legally. German players benefit from strict protection measures such as the cross-provider deposit limit of 1,000 euros per month and the 1-euro stake limit per spin on slots. These technical safeguards, monitored via systems like LUGAS and OASIS, are currently non-existent in Chile. Playing with a licensed provider in Germany ensures that winnings are paid out safely and addiction prevention is taken seriously. An unregulated market, like Chile's current state, carries the risk of encountering bad actors who offer no player protection.

What it means for GGL-licensed casinos

For operators with a German GGL license, the Chilean example highlights the immense value of legal certainty. While operators in Chile struggle with unclear tax resolutions and political gridlock, licensed German casinos have a clear roadmap. The 2021 Treaty set firm boundaries, but it also protects legal businesses from unfair competition by unlicensed offshore sites from Curacao or Malta. The GGL actively pursues illegal advertising and unlicensed portals to fulfill its channeling mandate. For internationally active groups like Betano, experience in highly regulated markets like Germany can be a competitive advantage when meeting future standards in emerging markets like Chile. Transparency and state control are the only long-term guarantees for a stable iGaming business model.