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