World Lottery Association publishes “roadmap” for Chile’s online betting regulation, urges strict youth protections and tough stance on previously illegal operators

In a 19 February 2026 position paper, WLA says Chile’s rules should prioritize channelisation into licensed platforms, ban youth-appealing promotions like welcome bonuses, and avoid an “implicit amnesty” for operators that previously operated outside the law.

The World Lottery Association (WLA) has issued a detailed policy document on Chile’s proposed online betting framework, outlining what it calls “universal objectives” seen in successful jurisdictions and framing them around player protection, market integrity, and sustainable public-good contributions.

At the center of WLA’s recommendations is effective channelisation: the association argues regulation should steer consumers toward licensed platforms operating under strict responsible gaming and integrity standards, including a reasonable cap on licences linked to the state’s capacity to supervise the market.

On consumer protection, WLA urges firm restrictions to reduce underage exposure and risky acquisition tactics. The paper specifically highlights the need to restrict welcome bonuses and “risk-free” promotions, and warns that sports sponsorships and marketing may disproportionately appeal to minors and young adults if not tightly controlled.

WLA also flags licensing risk: it calls for strict caution when considering the admission of operators that previously operated illegally, saying the process should include a rigorous evaluation so regulation does not function as an “implicit amnesty.”

On enforcement, the paper backs stronger tools to fight illegal supply, including payment blocking and ISP/IP blocking, plus higher transparency on ownership structures and fund flows to reduce AML risk. It also argues Chile should align its framework with international best practices across responsible gaming, AML compliance, and sports integrity.