The municipality of Peñalolén announced it will tighten requirements for issuing electronic game permits, aiming to prevent these licenses from being used to operate unauthorized slot machines and to combat the spread of illegal gambling in the commune.
Mayor Miguel Concha announced the measure as part of a permanent enforcement strategy. According to statements reported by Chilean media outlet BíoBío, the mayor said that “these spaces are very harmful to our neighborhoods and only encourage gambling addiction.” Concha added that the main victims are “retirees who bet their pensions, workers who spend their salaries, savings or basic household expenses, mothers who stop receiving child support payments.”
The initiative is based on the Peñalolén Municipal Ordinance and Law 19,995, which regulates the operation of gambling casinos in Chile. This law establishes that gambling casinos can only operate under a concession from the Superintendency of Gambling Casinos (SCJ), and any slot machine outside those authorized venues constitutes illegal gambling.
Enforcement results in Peñalolén
According to information provided by the municipality and reported by BíoBío, the mayor’s strategy to date has included permanent inspections, the closure of 12 clandestine casinos, and the seizure of 286 unauthorized slot machines.
The mayor emphasized that “a few people think they can abuse our neighbors and do whatever they want. The municipality will not support their abusive behavior.”
| Key Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Responsible authority | Municipality of Peñalolén, Mayor Miguel Concha |
| Legal basis | Law 19,995 (gambling casinos) and Municipal Ordinance |
| Enforcement results | 12 clandestine casinos closed, 286 machines seized |
Legal context: What does Law 19,995 say?
Law 19,995, enacted in 2005, sets the conditions for operating gambling casinos in Chile. According to the SCJ, only casinos with a concession granted by the SCJ can legally operate slot machines. Any slot machine outside those venues, including those installed in commercial establishments with electronic game permits, is considered illegal if it does not meet the law’s requirements.
The SCJ, in its section on illegal gambling, explains that “any gambling activity that does not have the corresponding authorization from the competent authority is considered illegal gambling.” This includes slot machines, roulettes, and other gambling devices operating without a concession.
What changes for Peñalolén residents?
For residents of Peñalolén, this measure means that establishments applying for or renewing electronic game permits will have to meet stricter requirements. The municipality did not specify the new requirements in detail but indicated they aim to prevent permits from being used as a front for operating unauthorized slot machines.
For readers of Apuestas Chile, this news reinforces the importance of verifying that any establishment offering slot machines or betting games has the corresponding authorization from the SCJ. In Chile, the only authorized operators for slot machines are casinos with an SCJ concession. Any other establishment offering these services operates outside the law.
Relevance for the online betting market
Although this measure focuses on physical slot machines, it has relevance for the online betting market in Chile. Law 19,995 does not regulate online betting, and currently there is no law granting licenses for sports betting or online casino operators in Chile.
Bill 14838-03, which seeks to regulate online betting platforms, remains under discussion in Congress. Meanwhile, offshore operators accepting Chilean players do so under foreign licenses, without oversight from the SCJ or SERNAC.
For users, this means that when registering with an online betting site they should verify:
The declared license and its jurisdiction (e.g., Malta Gaming Authority, Curaçao, UK Gambling Commission).The terms and conditions regarding KYC, withdrawals, limits, and bonuses.That the operator is not authorized by the SCJ or any Chilean authority.
What remains to be confirmed
The municipality of Peñalolén did not specify an effective date for the new restrictions but indicated that enforcement will continue permanently. It is unclear whether other communes in the Metropolitan Region will adopt similar measures.
The specific new requirements for electronic game permits have not been published. The municipality also did not provide details on how the new rules will be enforced or what penalties will apply for violations.
Practical steps for readers
For readers who want to verify whether an establishment or betting platform operates legally in Chile:
Check the SCJ website for authorized casinos.
Review the SCJ’s illegal gambling section to identify unauthorized activities.
3. For online betting, verify the foreign license and the operator’s terms.
4. Report suspicious activities to the corresponding municipality or the SCJ.
Source: Yogonet Latinoamérica, “La Municipalidad de Peñalolén anunció nuevas restricciones a patentes de juegos electrónicos”, August 17, 2026. https://www.yogonet.com/latinoamerica/noticias/2026/08/17/110235-la-municipalidad-de-penalolen-anuncio-nuevas-restricciones-a-patentes-de-juegos-electronicos