Chile has ordered the blocking of 42 foreign online gambling platforms that authorities say operate outside the country’s current regulatory framework.
The order was issued by Chile’s Undersecretariat of Telecommunications (Subtel) following rulings by the Supreme Court and the Santiago Court of Appeals. Telecommunications providers including Entel, Movistar, Claro, GTD, WOM and VTR have 48 hours to block the identified sites.
Subtel to use DNS blocking
Subtel will implement DNS blocking to restrict access to the listed domains. The authority said the approach is intended to limit illegal gambling access while minimising the risk of affecting legitimate online services.
The list was submitted by the Superintendency of Casinos (SCJ), which verifies domains, subdomains and mirror sites linked to operators that do not have authorisation to operate in Chile.
After implementing the restrictions, telecom companies must provide the Santiago Court of Appeals with confirmation showing the exact date and time of each block.
Blocking follows court action over illegal gambling
The measure follows legal action brought by Lotería de Concepción against telecommunications companies. Chile’s Supreme Court previously ordered an end to the transmission and promotion of illegal gambling, while the Santiago Court of Appeals ruled that DNS blocking could be used to enforce that decision.
The mechanism can also be extended to additional domains, subdomains and mirror sites connected to the same platforms once they have been identified and validated by SCJ.
At the same time, Chile’s Senate is considering legislation that would create a dedicated licensing framework for online gambling.
The SII has separately registered 25 foreign online platforms for tax purposes. The tax authority has stressed that registration does not grant permission to operate in Chile. Authorisation and legality remain matters for the relevant regulatory authorities.
Chile is therefore expanding technical enforcement against unauthorised online gambling while the country continues debating a permanent licensing framework for the digital market.
Source: SBC Noticias
