Key Highlights
Contents
- Polla Chilena’s president Macarena Carvallo equated online gambling to “the new fentanyl of the 21st century”
- State lottery revenue declined 18.34% year-over-year in 2025
- Xperto sports betting platform saw contributions to national sports programs drop from 18 billion to 14 billion pesos
- Growing concerns over the impact of unregulated gambling on Chile’s youth population
- State lottery prepared to enter competitive market if regulators approve online gambling legalization
The president of Chile’s national lottery has delivered a sobering assessment of the online gambling landscape, drawing parallels between digital betting platforms and one of the most devastating public health emergencies of recent times.
Macarena Carvallo, serving as president of Polla Chilena, characterized the proliferation of online wagering as “the new fentanyl of the 21st century” during a candid interview. Her remarks come as Chilean policymakers grapple with whether and how to regulate the burgeoning online gambling sector.
Drawing attention to international precedents, Carvallo highlighted both the United States and Brazil as warning examples. She emphasized that regulatory frameworks alone haven’t prevented significant social challenges from emerging in those markets.
The lottery chief referenced Brazilian President Lula Da Silva’s recent initiatives to impose tighter controls on betting operators. She used these international cases to advocate for Chilean decision-makers to prioritize social welfare considerations alongside potential economic benefits.
These policy discussions unfold against the backdrop of challenging financial results for the state-operated lottery. Polla Chilena’s gross revenues reached 120.253 billion pesos in 2025, representing an 18.34% decrease compared to the prior year’s performance.
Financial Losses Mount for State-Run Operator
The revenue decline hit particularly hard in the sports betting segment. Xperto, the lottery’s sports prediction offering, ranks as a major revenue generator second only to the traditional Loto game.
During 2024, Xperto generated 18 billion pesos that were allocated to Chile’s National Sports Institute budget. That contribution shrank to approximately 14 billion pesos in 2025.
According to Carvallo, this downturn stems primarily from unlicensed and unregulated betting operations siphoning customers away from the state-sanctioned platform. These unauthorized operators continue to expand their market presence.
The implications extend well beyond corporate earnings statements. Polla Chilena serves as a critical funding mechanism for public initiatives spanning sports development and social welfare programs. Revenue shortfalls translate directly into reduced resources for these community services.
“The victims aren’t just Polla, but rather all the beneficiaries who rely on these funds,” Carvallo explained, referencing the government agencies and programs sustained through lottery proceeds.
She noted that legal interventions and enforcement actions have proven insufficient to curb illegal operators. Despite repeated attempts by various institutions to shut down these platforms, they continue operating with apparent impunity.
Youth Welfare Emerges as Central Issue
Carvallo expressed particular alarm regarding online betting’s influence on Chile’s younger demographic. She cautioned that harmful effects on children and teenagers are already becoming visible.
“We’re witnessing the emergence of adverse impacts on our children and adolescent population,” she stated. While she didn’t cite specific statistics, she characterized the situation as requiring immediate attention.
This challenge mirrors broader regional trends. Numerous Latin American nations are wrestling with comparable questions about managing the explosive growth of digital gambling platforms.
Notwithstanding her reservations about online gambling expansion, Carvallo confirmed that Polla Chilena has undertaken preparations for a potentially liberalized market. The organization has made strategic investments in technological infrastructure and competitive positioning.
“Should Chile opt to liberalize and regulate its online betting market, we stand prepared to compete effectively,” she declared.
However, she maintained that any regulatory framework must incorporate robust citizen protections. Carvallo advocated for comprehensive safeguards addressing the social hazards associated with internet-based gambling.
Chilean authorities have yet to reach a conclusive determination regarding online betting platform regulation. The ongoing discourse involves legislators, industry participants, and civic organizations throughout the nation.
