Chile Initiates Bidding Process for Puerto Varas Casino Operator

The Superintendency of Casinos de Juego (SCJ) of Chile has announced that the bidding process to select a new operator for a casino in Puerto Varas, located in the Los Lagos region, will begin next week.

According to the SCJ, the technical specifications and the opening resolution will be published in the Official Gazette and on the agency’s website. An announcement will be made when these documents are available.

Guarantee Payments Following Revocation

The Chilean regulatory body also addressed the collection of guarantees following the revocation of the operating permit of Sociedad Casino de Puerto Varas, owned by Enjoy. These payments will be made in three annual installments.

The SCJ clarified that funds from the collection of the guarantee related to the economic offer will be transferred to the Municipality of Puerto Varas in three annual payments. This is in accordance with current regulations for Casino de Puerto Varas S.A., the company whose operating permit was revoked.

On March 31st, the SCJ transferred CLP 2.869 million to the General Treasury of the Republic. Subsequently, it requested that the Treasury transfer CLP 956 million (the first installment) to the Municipality of Puerto Varas.

The total guarantee amount, based on Enjoy’s winning bid in 2018, is approximately CLP 12.000 million, significantly higher than the CLP 2.869 million reported by the SCJ.

The guarantee for the economic offer committed by Casino de Puerto Varas S.A. to the municipality is secured by insurance policies from Avla Seguros, Orsan, and Cesce, each covering different percentages.

To date, only the portion guaranteed by Avla Seguros has been paid to the municipality, after deducting the amount received by the SCJ from the current operating Municipal Casino.

The SCJ concluded that the other policies are pending payment, and the agency is pursuing administrative and legal actions to ensure their fulfillment.