Under the gaming laws of Chile, the region of Arica y Parinacota is authorised to license an unlimited number of casinos, being regarded as a special case. The other regions may license no more than three casinos, which must be at least 70 kilometres apart. On Wednesday the start of Proceso 2008 was announced by the Chilean gaming authority (SCJ) to receive applications for three more casino licences.

Chile’s new gaming law has already granted licences to fifteen integrated casino projects around the country, some of which are scheduled to open later this year. Now companies can apply for one of the three new licences on offer. The regions of Valparaiso and Bio Bio will not be considered as they already have three casinos apiece under construction. Ten regions will be able to compete for the licences although only one, Aisen, has no casino licence.

Five regions have been granted one casino licence under the first round; five others already have two projects underway. There will be no legal casinos in the Santiago region that holds Chile’s capital city. According to the SCJ, the application deadline for the three licences will be Friday 29 February. Then follow three stages of evaluation and legal process that will end on 29 August 2008.

Head of the SCJ, Francisco Javier Leiva, commented: “The locations for the casino proposals are chosen exclusively by the private investors and must comply with legal restrictions and feasibility criteria. Neither the SCJ nor the Licensing Board has the power to determine the place. International gaming operators already investing in Chilean casino projects include South Africa’s Sun International, Casinos Austria, French IGGR and Spain’s Egasa-Nervion. (E-01.04.08)

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