Chile’s Chamber of Deputies has passed a ban on advertising of online betting during events or at sports clubs. The restriction was approved by a vote of 118 to one, with three abstentions.
Now the bill goes to the Senate. This will have a profound effect on sports teams. For example, 11 of 16 first division soccer teams have sponsorship deals with sportsbook operators. This could also set Chile apart from other Latin American countries where such sponsorships are common.
Fines for violating the law range from 150 to 2,000 UTM. The law also bans the advertising or sponsorship of online betting platforms. The ban extends to “all types of clothing, equipment of members of sports organizations, whatever their name and sports discipline, whether they are athletes, coaching staff, leaders, medical professionals or assistants”; and in venues intended for training or competitions.”
The bill’s author Marco Antonio Sulantay has asked for the bill to be designated as an urgency bill.
