Last week it was the newly established Association of Offshore Casino Operators in the Indian state of Goa that announced it would be negotiating with the government on behalf of the casino vessels. This week comes news that another new casino organisation has been formed, this time in Chile. The Asociación Chilena de Casinos de Juego A.G. has united nine of the twelve recently opened casinos in the South American country, with only the two Enjoy operations and Monticello so far remaining outside.

One subject the Chilean casino association hopes to address is the thousands of gaming machines operating in the country outside casinos, including in Santiago where casinos are not permitted. The casino operators feel at a disadvantage because by law they must charge an entry fee as well as maintain bingo halls that add little to their revenue but do incur additional costs. In the city of Talca alone there are an estimated 3,000 ‘maquinas de habilidad’ (skill) operating outside casinos plus other gaming machines in bakeries, gaming centres and stores.

According to the Gaming Board, Chilean players spend an average US$43.75 on casino gambling, principally on gaming machines that are required to have a minimum 85% return. The casino law stipulates that the casinos are part of entertainment centres and at present more income derives from food and beverage sales than from gambling. The local governments and municipalities where the casinos are located share the gaming tax revenues. The eight casinos operating last year made gross profits of US$25.8 million.
(E-05.11.09)

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