Chile’s endless chase: 42 gambling sites blocked, but operators launch new ones

Telecom regulator Subtel has ordered the country’s largest internet service providers to block the DNS addresses of 42 unlicensed gambling platforms.

The decision fully aligns with the Supreme Court’s ruling prohibiting the transmission and promotion of illegal gambling and is being enforced through a DNS blocking mechanism upheld by the Santiago Court of Appeals.

How It Works

The blocking process begins with domain identification. The Concepción Lottery compiles and reports a list of domains, subdomains, and derivative or “mirror” sites associated with the platforms.

The Gaming Casinos Superintendency (SCJ) then conducts a legal review to determine which domains are linked to unauthorised operators and formally certifies the findings.

Once the SCJ has completed its validation, Subtel notifies the telecommunications companies — Entel, Movistar, Claro, GTD, WOM, and VTR — and provides an annex listing the domains to be blocked. The providers have to implement the DNS blocks within a limited time frame.

The internet companies must then demonstrate compliance with the order of the Santiago Court of Appeals. They must notify Subtel and provide the exact date and time when each block was implemented.

Gambling Sites Are Fighting Back

The initial blocking order covered domains associated with Stake, 1xBet, 1win, Melbet, Betano, Betsson, bet365, BC.GAME, TonyBet, Pin-Up, Coolbet, Jackpot City, Novibet, Betcris, Rabona, and dozens of other operators.

However, bookmakers began directing customers to new domains even before the deadline had expired. Betano, Betsson, bet365, and TonyBet are among the operators that had already introduced new addresses, with others following suit.

Chile Will Continue Blocking Unlicensed Casinos

The list of blocked websites issued under the mechanism approved by the Santiago Court of Appeals on August 7 is only the first. In the future, new domains and mirror sites will be added without a separate court proceeding. The SCJ will review the addresses, after which Subtel will issue internet providers with another blocking order. 

Subtel’s Undersecretary of Telecommunications, Romina Garrido, acknowledged that the process will be cyclical and effectively open-ended. She said that the next list will include an even larger number of addresses.

The country’s clash with rogue operators is gaining momentum. Chile’s state lottery has filed a criminal complaint against 11 offshore iGaming operators, including Betsson, Betano and 1xBet, accusing them of illegal gaming and possible money laundering.