New data from the Superintendency of Gaming Casinos (SCJ) in Chile shows gross revenue from land-based casinos fell 3.7% year-on-year in Q1.

The 25 licensed casinos reported combined revenues of CLP145.19 billion ($154.3 million) in Q1, a 1% increase in nominal terms, but a 3.7% drop in real terms when aspects such as inflation are factored in against the same period of 2024.

The revenue was generated by nearly 1.8 million visits to casinos, again a 3.7% decrease from Q1 2024, with an average expenditure of CLP80,079 per visit.

Casinos contributed CLP51.96 billion in taxes during Q1, a 3.4% decrease in real terms.

Contributions from the specific gaming tax amounted to CLP22.37 billion, split evenly between regional governments and municipalities, with the objective of financing development works.

Additionally, CLP21.6 billion was collected in value-added taxes, with another CLP8 million in entrance taxes to gaming rooms. Both taxes are allocated to the general funds of Chile’s government.

H2 Gambling Capital estimates that by the end of 2029, land-based gambling in Chile could achieve annual revenue of $792.3 million.

Land-based casinos crucial amid online uncertainty in Chile

While Chile has a rich history of land-based gambling, there is growing frustration over the slow progress of online regulation, with the bill to regulate iGaming stuck in the Senate.

With online progress stalling, land-based casinos remain pivotal for the Chile gambling sector, with Asociación Chilena de Casinos y Juego President Cecilia Valdés stating they are a “key driver” for local economies.

According to Valdés, land-based casinos contribute around CLP195 billion in taxes a year, while also generating over 8,000 direct jobs, as well as thousands of indirect jobs in tourism, hospitality and other casino-related services.

“Their impact goes well beyond gaming: They are hubs for economic growth, formal employment, and regional development,” Valdés told iGB. “They have been essential in the urban and tourism development of several regions, helping position various destinations around the country.

“In Chile, there is a particular regulatory model where every casino must include complementary infrastructure such as hotels, restaurants, theatres and other facilities – this has led to comprehensive development in the cities and municipalities where they are located.”