The Chilean Parliament's suspension of casino licensing in Chile has not affected local regulators, theSuperintendencia de Casinos de Juego (SCJ), from finishing its task of approving 15 new casino projects in the country out of a total of 17 new licences approved by the country's new Casino Law 2005. The law enables a Licensing Council (Consejo Resolutivo -CR) in the SCJ to grant casino licenses and, after the usual legal controversies that surround gaming licensing in the region, the local regulators appear to have done some sterling work.

In six months since July the SCJ has been able to approve multiple projects for nine out of the 12 regions in the country. The cities of Antofagasta, Copiapó, Los Ángeles, Pinto, Talcahuano, Temuco, Valdivia, Osorno, Punta Arenas and Calama were licensed in between July and August. Just before Christmas, and during a parliamentary debate seeking to derail the licensing process, the SCJ granted five more licenses to the towns of San Antonio, Rinconada, Mostazal, Santa Cruz and Talca, thereby officially completing the licensing process projected by law.

The main objective of the Chilean gaming law is regional development, with the total of the 20% gaming tax on the Gross Gaming Revenue to be divided between the regional and local governments. In this respect, the 15 casinos approved by SCJ have projected combined total revenues of over US$257 million, with the creation of more than 8,000 direct jobs. Chile tourism also benefits greatly, as all projects bar one will build 4- and 5-star hotels with a total of 1076 rooms. The remaining project for the Chilean thermal springs will bring a substantial expansion of facilities in the area. (E-01.16.07)

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