How to Bet on Sports in Chile as an American
The restricted market—and your workaround
⚠️ Chile's Complicated Status
Chile currently has the most restrictive online betting environment in our coverage area. The Supreme Court has upheld blocks on several offshore sites, and comprehensive licensing legislation is still in development. This doesn't mean you can't bet—it means crypto sportsbooks are essentially your only reliable option.
⚡ TL;DR — The Quick Answer
What's the Deal with Chile?
Chile is an outlier in Latin America's betting landscape. While Colombia, Mexico, Argentina, and even Brazil have established or are establishing clear regulatory frameworks, Chile's government has taken a more restrictive approach.
The Supreme Court has upheld challenges that block access to various offshore betting sites. ISPs are ordered to block specific domains. Traditional sportsbooks like Bet365 and Betway have intermittent access issues.
The result: Crypto sportsbooks operating through non-blocked domains are the reliable option for bettors in Chile, including American expats.
Your Best Option: Stake
Stake's crypto-native approach and multiple domain options mean it consistently works in Chile when other sportsbooks don't. US passport accepted, USDT deposits, instant withdrawals. The same platform American expats use across all of Latin America.
Open Stake Account →Why Crypto Sportsbooks Work When Others Don't
Traditional sportsbooks operate on fixed domains that can be court-ordered blocked. Crypto sportsbooks like Stake:
- Use multiple mirror domains
- Don't require traditional banking (which can be monitored)
- Process deposits/withdrawals via blockchain (not interceptable)
- Are harder to target with traditional blocking methods
This isn't about evading law enforcement—Chile doesn't prosecute individual bettors. It's about access reliability.
Santiago: Expat Life and Sports
Chile attracts fewer American expats than Mexico or Colombia, but Santiago has a solid international community:
📍 Providencia & Las Condes
These upscale neighborhoods (Las Condes is nicknamed "Sanhattan") house most expats. Modern, safe, good restaurants and nightlife. Not the cheapest—Chile is the most expensive country in South America—but high quality of life.
Where to Watch American Sports
Flannery's Irish Geo Pub — The main expat sports bar in Santiago. Shows NFL, Premier League, rugby. Reliable spot for finding other English-speakers watching games.
California Cantina — American-style bar in Providencia that shows US sports. Good for NFL Sundays.
Sports bar culture in Santiago is less developed than Buenos Aires or Mexico City. Many expats watch at home or in hotel bars. The timezone helps: Chile is usually the same as Eastern Time or 1 hour different depending on daylight saving.
The Process: Same as Everywhere
If you've read our other guides, you know the drill:
- Set up Coinbase if you don't have it
- Buy USDT with your US bank account
- Create Stake account with US passport
- Send USDT to Stake (TRC-20 network, lowest fees)
- Bet
~25 minutes first time, 2 minutes after that. The Chile-specific part is just that traditional sportsbooks are less reliable here.
What About When Regulations Pass?
Chile is expected to eventually pass comprehensive iGaming legislation similar to Brazil's recent framework. When that happens, licensed operators will enter the market, and the landscape will change.
For now, crypto is the answer. When things change, we'll update this guide.
FAQ
Will I get in trouble for betting with Stake in Chile?
Chile's restrictions target operators and ISPs, not individual bettors. There's no enforcement mechanism against players. Thousands of Chileans and expats bet on crypto sportsbooks daily.
Is Chile expensive?
By South American standards, yes. Santiago is comparable to a mid-tier US city. It's significantly more expensive than Colombia, Peru, or Argentina (at blue dollar rates). Quality of life is high though—Chile has the highest human development index in Latin America.
What about betting on Chilean football?
Liga Chilena (Primera División) is covered on Stake. Universidad de Chile and Colo-Colo are the biggest clubs. Chilean football is passionate but lower quality than Argentina or Brazil's leagues.
The Bottom Line
Chile's restrictive environment makes it the trickiest market in our coverage area. But the solution is simple: Stake + crypto works reliably when traditional sportsbooks don't.
If you're in Santiago and want to bet on the game, Stake is your answer.
Reliable Access in Chile
Stake works when other sportsbooks get blocked. Crypto in, crypto out, US passport accepted.
Open Stake Account →