“Gaming activity will keep on growing, but at more normal rates”

What balance can you make of 2011?
Unlike 2010, a year in which the casino industry was affected by the earthquake in the Center-South part of the country (forcing to a temporary closure of 8 of the 15 casinos), in 2011 all the venues managed to operate normally, reaching the highest gross gaming incomes and number of visitors since they have started operating. Therefore, the balance is positive, because we are facing an industry that still has a growth margin and which has consolidated as a relevant activity not only for tourism but also for the development of the Chilean regions.

How have you seen the gaming industry in general in a year in which the economic crisis affected different international markers?
Fortunately, the casino industry in Chile has not been affected by the international economic crisis, showing an increment in its operational results and contributing to the development of the regions, through the payment of the specific gaming tax.  For 2011 we estímate gross income for us$ 520 million, 6,5 million visits with an average expenditure in gaming of U$S 80 per visit. Besides, they had a total of U$S 205 million in taxes, distributed in 86 million in specific tax gaming, 83 million in VAT game and 36 million in casino income.

Which was, in your opinion, the most remarkable novelty of the year?
In my view, the most remarkable news for the casino industry was the approval in the National Congress of the modification of the Casino Law that allows foreign cruises to operate games of chance in national waters, as long as they comply with certain requirements and conditions, such as counting with hostelling services and having, among its functions, the transport of passengers with touristic purposes: counting with the authorization to navigate in national waters; being navigating and not stopped in Chilean ports. Besides, and with the aim to avoid casinos in cruises to become “floating casinos”, it is maintained the condition that the touristic circuit in which the games of chance operation is authorized lasts at least three days and its coverage must comprise at least a route of 500 nautical miles.

Which are your plans for 2012?
In 2012, maximum legal deadlines are complied for the three casinos authorized in Ovalle, Castro and Coyhaique start operating, so the new casino industry will conclude its installation stage and will count with the 18 casinos operating. This way, the Superintendence will be totally dedicated to its main task, which is the regulation and control.

Besides, during 2012 and within the process of institutional re-design, the Superintendence will start using a new computing system, which will allow operating societies of casinos to report their operational results online, to improve the relationship between regulator and regulated entities,

How do you see 2012 for the gaming industry in general? Will it be similar to 2011? Do you think there will be an increment in the activity?
Considering the increment registered in the casino industry in the country, and having into account that in 2011 all the casinos have operated normally, but that in  2012 new gambling venues should be operating, I think the activity will keep on growing but at more normal rates, according to the growth of the economy. In this sense, a reasonable estimation is to assume a growth of around  5%.