ANFP, the Chilean soccer federation, has ended its sponsorship deal with Betsson, the Sweden-based online betting company that owns multiple betting and gaming brands worldwide.

The cancellation was effective from yesterday (October 15), when the ANFP informed Betsson of the contract termination.

The ANFP statement read: “The above responds to a decision by Betsson in accordance with the contracts signed between the parties.”

Betsson had supported Chilean soccer since 2021, and served as the title sponsor of Chile’s first division, Campeonato Betsson, for the 2023 season.

The termination follows Chile’s Ministry of Justice ordering an end to all gambling partnerships and the Supreme Court ruling that more than twenty online sports betting websites were operating illegally in the country, including Betsson.

The case was brought by National Lottery operator Polla Chilena de Beneficia against telecoms company Mundo Pacífico, with the aim to block access to 23 gambling websites operating in Chile “without legal authorization."

In addition to Betsson, these include Betano, Betway, Betcris, Coolbet, 1xbet, Rivalo, and Betwarrior.

The court ruled in favor of Polla Chilena, deciding that it is the only company currently authorized to provide online sports betting in the country.

The ANFP was unsuccessful in its appeal against the Ministry’s order.