Despite a nominal increase in income, the actual revenue of physical casinos in Chile still fell by 3.7% year-on-year in the first quarter of 2025. This trend reflects the multiple challenges faced by traditional gambling venues against the backdrop of delayed clarity in iGaming regulation.
According to the latest data released by the Chilean Gaming Control Board (SCJ), the 25 licensed physical casinos achieved a total income of 145.19 billion Chilean pesos (approximately $154.3 million) in the first quarter of 2025. Although there was a 1% increase compared to the same period last year, the actual income decreased after adjusting for inflation.
In the same period, physical casinos received nearly 1.8 million visitors, a 3.7% decrease compared to the previous year. The average expenditure per visitor was 80,079 pesos, showing a slight decline and further reflecting a cautious consumer spending trend.
In terms of taxes, the casinos contributed a total of 51.96 billion pesos in tax revenue, a real decrease of 3.4%. Of this, 22.37 billion pesos were specific gambling taxes, evenly distributed to regional governments and municipal authorities to support public projects. Another 21.6 billion pesos were from value-added tax, and 800,000 pesos from entry tax, both of which directly went to the national general fiscal account.
Despite the overall performance pressure, the industry's future is still viewed positively. H2 Gambling Capital predicts that by the end of 2029, the annual revenue of Chile's physical gambling industry is expected to reach $792.3 million.
However, market uncertainty still exists. The Chilean iGaming regulatory bill remains stalled in the Senate, causing stagnation in the development of the online market and increasing reliance on traditional casinos.
Cecilia Valdes, the chair of the Chilean Casino and Gaming Association, pointed out that physical casinos are not only the pillar of the gambling industry but also a significant engine for local economies. She stated that these casinos contribute about 195 billion pesos in taxes annually, directly create over 8,000 jobs, and also drive indirect employment in tourism, dining, and hotel industries.
"Physical casinos are not just gambling facilities; they are catalysts for urban development," Valdes emphasized in an interview with iGB, "According to Chile's regulatory system, casinos must be accompanied by the construction of hotels, theaters, restaurants, and other facilities, which drives the overall infrastructure and tourism development of the region."
In the current context of unclear online policies and a transitional market phase in Chile, the importance of physical casinos is increasingly highlighted. They remain a crucial pivot linking local development and national finance.
