Responsible gaming in Chile: Ángela Carmona shares her perspective
Ángela Carmona Alba, who heads the Chilean Responsible Gaming Corporation, points out that young people here dip into online betting as early as 15 and a half years old. Over our exclusive chat, she walks through vital studies, the tough realities of gambling addiction, and practical steps towards healthier play right across LATAM.
Responsible Gaming Corporation: progress and hurdles in Chile’s gaming policies
The Responsible Gaming Corporation, set up over a decade ago in Chile, brings together public and private firms plus experts to champion safe gaming. Ángela Carmona Alba, the president, drives studies and talks with regulators. To grasp Chile’s gaming policies, we trace the group’s mission with Ángela. In this SiGMA News exclusive, Carmona outlines local nuances.
We asked her first about the core aim that has steered the Corporation since day one.
SiGMA News: How would you describe the Corporation’s central mission and its prevention strides?
Ángela Carmona: “Since 2012, we’ve raised awareness on responsible gaming. From the start, we’ve aimed to build a responsible gaming culture in the country, pushing steps to cut risks from problem gambling and sharing best practices in the entertainment sector,” she adds. “We’ve been around since 2012, tackling various issues as they’ve cropped up along the way.”
Carmona notes ongoing chats with national players and prevalence studies that back their views, all available on the group’s site.
Chile moves towards transparent Gaming: Corporation strengthens ties with industry and government
The president points to steady efforts to keep dialogue going with operators, lawmakers, and civil society. Things like school talks and screen-use studies show their drive for an evidence-based, safe gaming space.
SiGMA News: How do you collaborate with operators, legislators, and regulators for safety standards?
Ángela Carmona Alba: “We’ve always been open to talks and links with everyone. For us, dialogue and grasping different views only bolsters our work. Over time, we’ve held loads of meetings with various players.” Still, the Corporation has pushed formal ties and active roles in efforts highlighting responsible gaming, Carmona tells this outlet.
“We’ve done talks in schools and health spots nationwide, been called to congressional committees, linked with schools and universities – all with great uptake thanks to the topic’s broad reach and the stir from its unknowns and importance.”
Carmona stresses they’ve steadily gathered data and presented several prevalence studies. She flags satisfaction with their recent launch of the “Screens that trap: X-ray of online gaming among Chilean youth” study, released on 21 October. It matters, she says, as it updates real data on screen use and addictions hitting many Chileans, especially youth and teens. Such work is vital to grasp and tackle these social issues, Carmona wraps up.
Key initiatives for early detection and psychological support in gambling addiction
Early spotting and proper psychological help from bedrock for tackling gambling addiction woes. Knowing and refining specialised referral paths (processes where patients move from primary care to specialists for needed advanced care, dodging needless or late referrals) matters hugely for the timely, effective treatment of this rising public health issue. Hence, spotlighting programmes offering real fixes.
SiGMA News: What key programmes or initiatives boost early detection, psychological aid, and referral paths for gambling problems?
Carmona flags the need to treat gambling addiction with care, time, and funds, as it’s a tricky beast often overlooked by the state and society.
She puts it: “Like any addiction, gambling is complex and needs attention, time, and resources. Simply put, the key is the person realising their addiction.”
She explains that, unlike other addictions, it lacks enough state and social nod, hampering grasp and support routes. Few specialist spots exist, bar the Therapy Gamblers Association (Ajuter), with referrals often sideways – say, via depression diagnosis revealing gambling. Even the medical-psychiatric fields show big knowledge gaps.
Carmona ends by saying better detection and care hinges on ramping social and institutional awareness, plus training pros to spot and route cases right.
Synergies between the Corporation and SiGMA Group to drive dialogue and industry growth
From the Responsible Gaming Corporation, Ángela Carmona underlines a lasting commitment to dialogue and responsible gaming within legal bounds.
Here, a natural question arises on boosting such ties: SiGMA conferences aim to spark global dialogue spaces for regulators, groups, and operators. Where do you see the Corporation and SiGMA teaming up – in content, training, certification, or events?
Angela Carmona Alba: “As a corporation, we’re committed to promoting dialogue and responsible gaming. We’ve always offered our know-how and keep that mindset, within set legal frames and with recognised players.”
She welcomes SiGMA Group’s push for spots where operators, regulators, and groups can team up, seeing these as prime chances to build the industry via swaps and joint work. Backing irregularities clashes with their values, so she stresses alliances must honour rules.
Carmona adds that synergy between them could markedly lift the sector’s ethical, responsible growth.
International gatherings and LATAM priorities
Global meets offer rare chances for swap and learning for responsible gaming outfits. How vital are they for groups like yours, and what topics or panels would you prioritise for future SiGMA editions in Chile and LATAM?
Ángela Carmona highlights the value these bring; hearing how others handle similar issues and sharing their built experience.
She states: “Sharing national and global experiences always enriches. Hearing approaches and others’ tales adds depth, and I’m sure our input will help them too.”
To close, Carmona says these spots force tailoring talk to global realities, easing key mutual learning amid today’s links. For future SiGMA group runs, she concludes prioritising prevention, regulation, and responsible gaming tuned to Chilean and LATAM realities.
This article was first published in Spanish on 2 December 2025.
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