Subtel gave the named providers 48 hours to implement court-ordered DNS restrictions on URLs reviewed by the casino regulator
Chile has established a repeatable enforcement procedure for restricting access to unauthorised online gambling platforms, including newly identified mirror domains.
The Undersecretariat of Telecommunications (Subtel) instructed Entel, Movistar, Claro, GTD, WOM and VTR to block 42 URLs submitted by the Superintendence of Casinos and Gambling (SCJ). The providers must implement the restrictions through the Domain Name System within 48 hours of receiving formal notification.
Annex covers URLs rather than 42 separate operators
The published annex includes URLs associated with brands such as Betano, Coolbet, 1xBet, Betsson, Stake, bet365, Novibet and Betcris.
However, the number should not be interpreted as 42 distinct betting companies. The list contains multiple domains associated with individual brands, including alternative addresses and suspected mirror sites.
The measure follows a constitutional protection action brought by Lotería de Concepción against the telecommunications companies. Subtel said it was implementing decisions issued by Chile’s Supreme Court and the Santiago Court of Appeals concerning the transmission and promotion of gambling services operating outside the country’s authorised framework.
Courts endorse DNS-level restrictions
Under the procedure, Lotería de Concepción or another applicant identifies domains, subdomains and associated mirror sites. The SCJ then reviews the addresses and determines whether they correspond to unauthorised operators.
Once that administrative review has been completed, Subtel formally instructs the relevant internet service providers to apply the DNS restrictions.
The providers must confirm compliance directly to the Santiago Court of Appeals. They must also send Subtel a copy of that confirmation, specifying the date and exact time when each restriction was implemented.
Romina Garrido, Undersecretary of Telecommunications
“As Subtel, we are strictly complying with the decisions of the courts and the regulatory framework by deploying an efficient and coordinated technical solution that protects people’s digital security.
“With this instruction, we require telecommunications companies to act as quickly as possible to block access to online casino platforms operating outside the law.”
Blocking process can cover new mirror domains
The Santiago Court of Appeals accepted DNS blocking as a proportionate method that protects network neutrality and user privacy while reducing the risk of unintentionally restricting lawful services.
A DNS restriction prevents a domain from being resolved normally through the affected provider’s configured naming system. It does not remove the website from the internet globally or constitute a technical shutdown of its servers.
Because online gambling platforms can introduce replacement addresses, the procedure may be applied successively to additional domains, subdomains and mirror sites. Each address must be specific, verifiable and reviewed by the SCJ before Subtel issues another blocking instruction.
The process also allows incorrectly identified domains to be corrected and lawful services to be restored if they are affected unintentionally.
