TLDR
- A Santiago appeals court ordered Chile’s telecom regulator Subtel to explain what technical methods can effectively block illegal online gambling websites
- The case started in 2024 when Lotería de Concepción accused six major internet providers of failing to block unlicensed gambling platforms
- Subtel admitted last month it has been unable to enforce a Supreme Court order to block twelve betting sites because operators simply switch domain names
- Authorities are now considering Deep Packet Inspection technology and keyword blocking as potential tools to improve enforcement
- The Subtel undersecretary told lawmakers her agency was not directly responsible for enforcing the court’s blocking order
A Chilean appeals court has ordered the country’s telecom regulator to explain how it plans to block illegal online gambling websites. The ruling puts pressure on authorities who have so far struggled to shut down unlicensed betting platforms.
The Court of Appeals of Santiago issued the order on May 22. Judges Juan Cristóbal Mera and Sandra Araya signed the document directing the Subsecretariat of Telecommunications, known as Subtel, to describe “the suitable technical mechanisms for blocking websites.”
Court Order Follows Years of Legal Battles
The legal fight dates back to 2024. Lotería de Concepción filed a complaint against six major internet providers operating in Chile.
The companies named in the complaint include Claro Chile, Entel, GTD Manquehue, Telefónica Chile, WOM Chile, and VTR. Lotería de Concepción accused all six of failing to block gambling platforms that operate illegally under Chilean law.
Under Chilean law, gambling is prohibited except for games run by authorized lotteries and the Polla Chilena de Beneficencia. Any other operator needs proper legal and administrative authorization to offer games of chance.
Lotería de Concepción argued that the telecom companies are required to block illegal content under Article 24 H of the General Telecommunications Law. The company cited previous Supreme Court rulings to support its position.
The complaint also claimed that allowing unlicensed operators to function freely violates constitutional guarantees. These include equality before the law, freedom of economy, and the right to private property.
Authorized gambling operators must meet strict legal requirements. Unlicensed platforms face none of those same obligations.
Blocking Efforts Have Failed So Far
Subtel acknowledged roughly a month ago that it could not enforce a January 2024 Supreme Court order to block twelve specific betting websites. The telecom companies did block those sites quickly after the ruling.
However, betting operators found a simple workaround. They switched to new domain names and continued operating through different web addresses.
The core issue is that court orders target specific URLs rather than the gambling operators themselves. This means operators can keep running their platforms by simply moving to a new domain.
During a recent appearance before the Constitution Commission of Chile’s Chamber of Deputies, Subtel Undersecretary Romina Garrido said her agency was not directly involved in the enforcement process. She repeated several times that Subtel was not responsible for carrying out the Supreme Court’s blocking order.
Despite that position, reports indicate Subtel may develop a new technical protocol to improve blocking efforts.
One tool under consideration is Deep Packet Inspection, a network security technology that analyzes internet traffic in real time. Officials have also discussed blocking keywords like “betting” as another possible method.
The case highlights the difficulty governments face when trying to control online gambling through website blocking alone. Betting operators can migrate between domains faster than regulators can act.
Chile’s experience with these enforcement challenges could influence how other Latin American countries approach online gambling regulation. The court is now waiting for Subtel’s response on what technical options are actually available.
