In an unusual regulatory move, the Resolving Council of the Superintendency of Gaming Casinos has authorized Casino del Mar in Viña del Mar to voluntarily resign its operating permit.
This decision was made in accordance with a specific legal mechanism that allows the casino to continue its operations uninterrupted, thereby securing the employment of its 589 staff members and supporting the local tourism economy.
The resolution was approved under section 4 of article 46 bis of a 2015 Supreme Decree. This article permits a licensee to opt for an early resignation of its permit three years after implementation, ensuring continued economic activity and regulatory compliance.
The motion was approved by a majority of the council, including the Undersecretary of Finance and the Undersecretary of Tourism, but was opposed by the Governor of Valparaíso, Rodrigo Mundaca.
Under the terms of the resignation, Casino del Mar is still obligated to meet all of its financial commitments. These include the payment of municipal bids, VAT, ticket taxes, and the specific gaming tax, which guarantees that both the municipality and the regional government will continue to receive crucial funds.
Projections for the next three years estimate that the casino’s gross revenue will exceed $65.5 billion, with over $56 billion generated for the state through gaming taxes and VAT. The municipality will also continue to receive its guaranteed annual economic offer of 831,123 UF.
A key condition of this mechanism is that the renouncing company and its business group are barred from reapplying for the relinquished license quota. Following this authorization, the regulator will initiate a new bidding process for the Viña del Mar casino license. The conditions for this new process will include minimum bid requirements, investments in touris
