Gambling Age In Chile

Minimum Age: 19

Details and Explanation

Legal Age Requirement: In Chile, the minimum legal age for participating in gambling activities is 19. This applies to casinos, lotteries, and horse racing, as per the Gaming Law, enforced to protect minors from gambling-related risks. Online gambling has no explicit age requirement due to its unregulated status.

Offline / Land-Based Gambling: Land-based gambling is legal, with 24 casinos in Viña del Mar and Santiago, offering slots, poker, and table games, aligning with your interest in extensive game catalogs. Lotteries and horse racing tracks, like Hipódromo Chile, are widespread, requiring ID checks to enforce the 19-year-old age limit. The casino market, valued at CLP 500 billion annually, supports tourism and state revenues.

Online Gambling: Online gambling is unregulated, with no local licensing framework. Residents can access offshore sites offering casinos, sports betting, and poker via mobile platforms, contributing to a $200 million unregulated market in 2024. These sites operate outside Chile’s jurisdiction, leaving players without legal protections, aligning with unregulated markets you’ve explored. A 2023 bill to regulate online gambling remains pending.

Regulation and Oversight: The Superintendency of Gaming Casinos (SCJ) regulates land-based casinos under the Gaming Law of 2005, while lotteries operate under a state monopoly. No authority oversees online gambling, lacking the licensing rigor you’ve inquired about. Chile’s casino sector supports a $1 billion economy, with 2024 tax reforms (10% on casino profits) funding public services, reflecting a focus on land-based regulation.

Enforcement and Penalties: Chile enforces land-based regulations rigorously. Casino operators face inspections, with violations like underage gambling leading to fines up to CLP 50 million or license revocation. Illegal gambling is prosecuted, and players engaging in underage gambling face fines. Online enforcement is minimal, maintaining a stable but fragmented gambling environment with limited online market growth.