James Marrison follows the situation in Chile
MINISTRY of Finance is looking at ways to regulate the growing slot parlour industry in Chile.
The move, which has the backing of President Sebastián Piñera, is aimed at reducing the growth of illegal gaming. Illegal gaming has been on the rise in Chile with the growth of slot parlours and slot machines located in small businesses and shops.
Known locally as “neighbourhood casinos” or “popular casinos,” part of the problem has been identifying whether machines located in arcades can be classified as “skill games” for purely recreational purposes or “games of chance” in return for cash prizes.
According to Chilean gaming law, the exploitation of gambling is, in principle, illegal, unless there is a special law in place which allows for its development and operation. Chilean law permits lotteries, horse racing and casino gaming as well as a limited number of fixed odds sports betting games via the National Lottery.
When it comes to slot machines outside casinos, these are currently banned and those found to be operating slot machines illegally can be fined and also face imprisonment.
Read the full article in the May issue of InterGaming.
