REGULATORY NEWS. WEEK № 44

🇨🇱 Chilean Government Proposes Licensing Online Gambling While Completely Banning Advertising and Bonuses

The Chilean government has submitted a new package of amendments to the Senate as part of the bill regulating online betting. Operators would receive five-year licenses with an annual fee of 1,000 UTM, while gross gaming revenue would be subject to 19% VAT and an additional 3% tax. Advertising of licensed platforms would be completely prohibited, along with bonuses, promotions, and other financial incentives aimed at attracting and retaining players. Companies that operated in Chile without a license during the previous 12 months would generally be ineligible for immediate licensing. However, a transitional regime would allow them to enter the regulated market by paying a one-time fee of 3,000 UTM and digital VAT covering up to the previous 36 months. The amendments also introduce player verification, time and deposit limits, self-exclusion measures, and stricter blocking of illegal websites and payments. Read more

🇧🇷 Brazilian Authorities to Seek Confiscation of Funds from Operators Continuing to Operate After Online Gambling Ban

Following the introduction of the ban on sports betting and online casinos, all operators that continue operating are considered illegal and subject to an existing financial blocking mechanism. Under Decree No. 13,033 of June 19, 2026, banks and payment institutions must freeze the accounts of such operators and stop processing new transactions in their favor within 24 hours of receiving notification from the Ministry of Finance. The frozen funds may then be transferred into a judicial deposit account and, following a final court ruling, confiscated by the state and allocated to the National Public Security Fund. Players’ rights to claim refunds remain protected. Read more

🇲🇹 Malta Increases the Cost of Hiring Foreign Workers, Raising Expenses for iGaming Companies

The Maltese government has presented its 2027 budget, which includes an increase in work permit fees for non-EU nationals from €600 to €800 and the introduction of an annual €400 levy. Foreign employees who have lived in Malta for less than five years will also lose access to free public transportation and childcare services. These changes could increase operating costs for iGaming companies, which employ more than 15,000 people in the country. Additional uncertainty surrounds the ongoing dispute over Bill 55, with the EU Court of Justice expected to rule on its legality on November 19, 2026. Read more