First Test Lab to be Licensed Under New Colombian Regulations bmm testlabs bmm testlabs

Coljuegos usually requires up to two months to review license applications, provided no additional information or clarifications are necessary. The Colombian regulator has licensed many local and foreign online operators, including William Hill, Betfair, Bwin, Codere, Rushbet, and Betplay. As a result, the entire gambling industry is subject to a state monopoly under Article 336 of Colombia’s National Constitution. The government-owned entity Coljuegos (the Colombian National Gaming Authority) regulates the industry at the national level. It is authorized to award concession contracts to third parties rather than standard operating licenses.

• For an in-depth look at the regulatory framework, the Superintendency of Industry and Commerce provides valuable resources and legal texts on the subject.
• In practice, this entails the regular submission of detailed reports on operator activities, including financial transactions, player behaviour, and compliance with regulatory standards.
• This includes implementing advanced security measures to protect against cyber threats and safeguard the confidentiality of personal and financial data.

1 Regulatory/Supervisory Agency

Once the administrative act of granting the authorisation is signed, the concession contract will be executed, which will be governed by the provisions of the Gambling Act, Law 80 of 1993, and Law 1150 of 2007 and its decrees. Roulette, blackjack, craps and baccarat are among the gaming products generally permitted. The regulation of METs permits the operation of slots in casinos and other establishments such as hotels, restaurants and bars, and keeps the same certification conditions as those in casinos. Bingo in Colombia is part of localised gaming and, for the purpose of its authorisation, a minimum number of seats is established depending on the number of inhabitants of the municipality in which the game is to be offered. Nevertheless, the Colombian regulator is working on a new regulation regarding instant prize games that is expected to be published in 2026.

The regulation of the gaming and casino market in Colombia has represented a paradigm shift in the entertainment and gaming sector. This process, initiated by Law 1438 of 2011 and led by Coljuegos, has transformed a historically informal sector into a dynamic and transparent industry, generating economic, social and technological benefits for the country. Educational materials and research on responsible gambling are consistently provided by academic institutions and can serve as a useful reference for understanding gambling behaviors. The University of Los Andes in Colombia, for example, has research papers and articles on the social impact of gambling. Moreover, players can check these resources to educate themselves about the potential negative consequences of irresponsible gambling and to learn how to gamble responsibly.

This law mandates that all operators obtain a license from Coljuegos, the national regulatory body, ensuring fair play and consumer protection. By complying with local regulations and offering a top-quality mobile sports betting experience, operators can take advantage of the significant opportunities in the market. Partnering with a reliable sports betting app development company is key to creating a successful platform that meets both legal requirements and user expectations. Whether you are planning to create a sports betting app or improve an existing one, investing in the right development team and understanding the legal landscape will help ensure your success in the Colombian sports betting industry. Colombia struck an excellent balance between regulatory control and opportunities for growth, turning it into one of the most stable and flourishing gambling markets in the world. Such readiness, given the straightforward and clear legal framework in the country, called for the interested contribution of international operators in developing its economy and providing much-needed funds for public health.

While Petro believes the new tax will add to that contribution, Carrasco warns it could in fact have the reverse effect, as players are driven to the black market. The new VAT could be a huge blow to the gambling sector in Colombia, with the industry providing big benefits to the nation’s healthcare system. “With what is written in the law, the taxshould be on deposits, because there are a lot of provisions and regulations that suggest that VAT on gambling should be over deposits,” Carrasco explains.

Companies that have a return-to-player rating of 83% of their stakes are taxed at 15%. This is viewed as a tiered approach and much more palatable for operators than the one-size-fits-all method adopted in many countries. Here are the top Incentives for iGaming operators considering entry and access to the Colombian gambling market. Operators must use certified random number generators (RNGs) and undergo regular audits to ensure fairness and transparency in gaming outcomes. This shift seeks to standardise risk management practices related to money laundering, terrorism financing and transnational bribery, imposing greater technical and operational rigour in the identification, assessment and monitoring of risks. On the other hand, regarding online gambling, as it was mentioned above, the exclusion of VAT of 19% was temporarily repealed until December 31, 2025.

c. Taxes on Sports Betting Revenue

For most games, there is no limit on the number of concession contracts or authorisations available. For Baloto, Super Astro and pari-mutuelbetting, there is only one licence available for each type of game, and the operator is chosen for five years by a public tender. Our top-rated sites are licensed by the UK Gambling Commission in England, which has a strong regulatory body that oversees all internet gaming within the country. Since most UK-based websites accept players from Colombia, you can take advantage of their system and play at sites that must adhere to strict standards of conduct.

Although the pace has slowed relative to 2024’s more energetic performance, particularly in the online segment, the sector maintains a stable structure and positive outlook, reflecting the resilience of the land-based channel. The administrative fee is equivalent to 1% over the fixed and variable exploitation rights paid yearly and monthly to Coljuegos or the regional authority. The exclusions are pari-mutuel betting, horse race betting, lotto and numeric games. The CNJSA has a duty to approve and issue the regulations (and their modifications) for games of chance that are exploited by territorial entities. The law states that a “casino” is defined as an establishment dedicated exclusively to the operation of localised games that require the presence of the person in order to be played.

As fantasy sports may be offered as part of the real sporting events product, esports are available under the online licence. The existence of these associations has been fundamental to the orderly development of the sector, facilitating dialogue between operators and authorities and contributing to the professionalization and legitimization of the gaming industry in Colombia. Associations such as Cornazar and Fecoljuegos play a fundamental role in the sustainable development of the industry. These organizations represent the interests of entrepreneurs, promote best practices, provide training and work with the authorities to create a favorable regulatory environment.

These exploitation rights are paid when the games of chance are operated by third parties under a concession contract, or by specific authorisation. It’s important to note that while many international operators may attempt to offer services to Colombian residents, engaging with unlicensed sites poses significant risks and is against Colombian law. Always ensure that the platform you choose is compliant with local regulations to guarantee a secure online gambling experience. Today, Colombia’s online gambling landscape is one of South America’s most advanced and forward-thinking, reflecting strong regulatory standards that align with international norms. For Colombians, online gambling is entirely legal and regulated under the eGaming Act of 2016.

Non-compliance with Coljuegos regulations can result in severe penalties for online sportsbook and casino operators. These include substantial fines, revocation of licenses, and temporary suspension of operations. Moreover, severe breaches like fraud or significant financial misconduct may lead to criminal proceedings. Law 1753 of the 2016 eGaming Act lays the groundwork for a structured and transparent gaming environment.

Currently, online gambling is entirely legal and regulated under the 2016 Act, mandating that all operators, including foreign entities, secure a license from Coljuegos and establish a local presence. The regulatory framework is designed to promote fair play, protect consumers, and generate tax revenue. Currently, online gambling is entirely legal and regulated under the 2016 Act, mandating that all operators, including foreign entities, secure a licence from Coljuegos and establish a local presence. Online gambling is legal in Colombia, with the government taking significant steps to regulate the industry in recent years. In 2016, Colombia passed a law allowing the licensing and regulation of online gambling operators.

The monopolistic regime in Colombia is set at the constitutional level in Article 336 of the Colombian National Constitution. The regulatory framework for games of chance is referred to in the following instruments, depending on the regulatory subject matter or its relation thereto. METs are defined by having an entry point for coins or notes, which allows the player to participate and receive their prizes. According to Colombian law, slot machines can only be operated in casinos and at commercial premises that comply with the relevant regulations. The resources obtained from exploitation rights (gaming duties) are used to fund public health services.

It included, among others, the payment agreements for annual fees that accelerated the authorisation of new online game modalities. online casino curacao legal With this, the live casinos recorded growth for the first time, a growth of about 0.51% in three months. In a bid to constantly update its regulations, changes suggested to VAT could impact the sector, according to one body. Asojuegos is the Association of Colombian Gaming Operators, and their statement was in response to a report the Colombian government is ready to add 19% VAT to online gambling operators in the upcoming budget. The region is also interesting, as the changes being adopted can be used as case studies in other areas.