Last Friday the Superintendent of Casinos (SCJ) in Chile announced in a press release that the 13 new casinos operating in the first half of 2009 had made gross gaming revenue of US$84.8 million. Visitor numbers reached 1,770,000, with average spending just under US$48 per visit. Since January gaming revenue has been on the rise although June saw a slight dip from May figures. Gross gaming revenue between January and June has risen 78.1%.

Not all of the 13 casinos were operational from the beginning of the year. Those that were functioning for the six months are in Antofagasta, Copiapó, Mostazal, Santa Cruz, Talca, Pinto (Termas de Chillán), Talcahuano, and Los Angeles. Casinos in Calama, Temuco, Valdivia, Osorno and Punta Arenas opened at various times over the six months. All casinos licensed under the 2005 Casino Act pay a special tax of 20% of gross gaming revenue, half of which goes to the municipality where the casino is located and the other half going to the regional government for development projects.

The Monticello Grand Casino in Mostazal, by far the largest casino complex with 1500 slot machines and 81 gaming tables, achieved gross gaming revenue of US$30.6 million in the first half of 2009. The casino has the advantage of being closest to the large metropolitan area of Chile’s capital city, Santiago, where by law no casino licences can be granted. At present Monticello holds 36.1% of the country’s casino market.

Present figures show that slot machines are the biggest generators of gaming revenue (73.5%) in the country, followed by card games (15.5%) and roulette (9.1%). Dice generates 1.5% of revenue and bingo just 0.4%. All the casinos give a higher return on slot machines than the 85% minimum decreed by the SCJ. Dreams Casino Valdivia and Dreams Casino Temuco, operated by Chilean company Fischer, have the highest returns at 94.3% and 94.1%, followed by the Sun International/Novomatic/IGGR/Binder operation Monticello Grand Casino at 93.8%. Only Casino Sol in Osorno returns under 90% (89.5%).

Leader of the SCJ, Francisco Javier Leiva, commented, “Between January and June 2009 gross gaming revenue registered growth of 78.1% in this new industry, strengthened by transparent operational results that guarantee public faith in the correct exploitation of gambling.” Chile has one of the best regulated casino industries in the world and its licensing programme for a total of 18 new casinos under the 2005 gaming law has brought an estimated US$711 million in investment, over 53% in foreign capital, and thousands of local jobs to its regions. (E-08.05.09)

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