In 2005 the new Chilean casino law was finally approved, leading to the granting of licences to 17 casino projects. Not all of these are up and running yet but there are now functioning casinos in Antofagasta, Copiapó, Santa Cruz, Mostazal, Talca, Pinto, Talcahuano and Los Ángeles, with a ninth due to open in Calama next month. In seven other places there are casinos functioning under the old law, which permitted gambling in areas such as Arica.

Mayors of the seven municipalities where the old casino licences are due to expire in six years have now decided to present a united front in a battle to keep their casinos open beyond 2015. At a date to be arranged the Mayors of Coquimbo, Arica, Iquique, Pucón, Puerto Varas and Puerto Natales will travel to Viña del Mar, where the city’s Mayoress is personally organising the meeting. Viña del Mar has had a casino for over eighty years.

The casinos contribute a great deal to the local communities concerned and the fight is on to prove that revoking the licences will be an unconstitutional act. The move to keep the casinos open will begin through the courts but the legislative approach will also be considered. Modification of the 2005 law could be another way to keep casino jobs and casino tax revenue in the seven cities.
(E-04.21.09)

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