The 25 licensed land-based casinos in Chile reported a drop in Q1 revenue despite nominal gains. The operators generated a combined revenue of €135 million, a 3.7% decrease when factoring for inflation, compared to the same period from 2024. This marks a significant blow to the state coffers amidst online gambling uncertainty.
Key Notes from the Story
- Gambling revenue from land-based casinos stood at €135 million, while total taxes accounted for €48.49 million.
- Over 1.8 million visitors entered Chilean casinos in the quarter ending on March 31, 2025.
- H2 Gambling Capital estimates Chilean land-based casinos will generate €697 million in annual revenue by 2029.
Significant Fall Despite Positive Trends
A report by the Superintendency of Gaming Casinos (SJC) shows that land-based casinos witnessed a 3.7% YoY revenue decline in Q1 2025. Despite a 1% increase in actual revenue compared to the previous year, real-world figures were lower when the calculation factors in inflation.
Over 1.8 million players visited the 25 land-based casinos during the period, a 3.7% decrease since Q1 2024. The report also estimates an average spending of €75.27 per user. Casinos contributed €48.84 million in taxes, a 3.4% decrease since Q1 2024. Both the federal and state governments received equal parts of the €21 million collected as specific gaming tax.
The government raised an additional €20 million in value-added taxes and €7,520 in casino entrance taxes. The amount generated from both taxes allows the Chilean government to undertake developmental projects. A market analysis by H2 Gambling Capital estimates that land-based casinos in Chile could generate €696.67 million by 2029.
Online Gambling Regulations Still Uncertain in Chile
While land-based gambling continues to enjoy vivid support from Chilean consumers, there is visible frustration over the government’s lack of interest in regulating the online gambling industry. In 2023, lawmakers submitted a bill to regulate iGaming in the Senate. However, it is still stuck in procedural red tape.
With the absence of a regulated online gambling market, the Chilean economy relies heavily on proceeds and taxes from licensed land-based casino operations. The President of the Chilean Association of Casinos and Gaming (ACCJ), Cecilia Valdés, in a recent statement, claimed gambling is a “key driver” fuelling local economies.
Valdés claims land-based casinos generate €18 million in direct taxes annually. The industry also provides 8,000 direct employment and thousands of indirect jobs in hospitality, tourism, and other gambling-related industries. Valdés explained:
The impact of land-based casinos extends beyond gaming. They are hubs for economic growth, regional development, and formal employment. Casino revenue has been crucial for regional development, helping communities secure their livelihoods through direct jobs and related employment opportunities in tourism and hospitality. In Chile, we have a particular regulatory model where every casino must have complementary infrastructure such as hotels, restaurants, theatres, and other facilities. This ensures community development in cities and municipalities where a casino is located.
As the Latin American iGaming market continues to evolve, with Brazil taking the lead and Peru also offering regulated iGaming since 2024, Chile could follow suit. Failing to regulate the market promptly could lead to an increase in illegal casino operations.
However, Valdés is hopeful that 2025 might be the year when Chile finally regulates online casinos. She adds:
Considering the pace of legislative proceedings, a realistic timeline for the bill to pass would be sometime in late 2025. But that is only possible if the bureaucrats prioritise the process. However, this being an election year, could further slow things down.
For further insights into the regulatory landscape in Latin America, refer to the Ace Alliance 2025 iGaming Trendbook, which includes commentary and reflections from the industry’s leading experts.