Is Gambling Legal in Colombia?

Colombia has built a well-organised gambling regulatory system that stands out in Latin America. The state-authorised regulator, Coljuegos, oversees all gambling operations – both land-based and online – through clear rules and strict technical standards.

For operators with proper licences, Colombia offers a stable market and a good entry point into the growing Latin American iGaming business.

Online Gambling in Colombia

Regulatory Authority	Coljuegos
Key legislation	Law No. 1753 (2015)
Allowed activities	Online betting
Prohibited activities	Among others: offering online gambling without a Coljuegos licence ignoring the rules laid out in Law 1753
Taxation and fees	17% of Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR) as a general rule 15% of GGR if the Return to Player (RTP) is ≥ 83% 20% withholding tax on winnings
Licence validity / duration	3-5 years
Benefits of the market	Secure and compliant by design Strict KYC, AML, and ISO-certified tech requirements ensure safe operations and player trust – a competitive advantage for licensed operators.
SOFTSWISS products compliant	No products available at the moment

Land-Based Gambling in Colombia

Key legislation	Law No. 643 (2001)
Allowed activities	Among others: traditional lotteries permanent bets raffles localised games
Prohibited activities	Among others: running games of chance without authorisation or a concession from the State, as required by Law No. 643 running gambling operations outside the state’s control
Taxation	Operators pay fixed monthly fees based on the legal minimum wage, depending on the type of game (e.g. slot machines, tables, bingo). A 19% VAT is charged using standardised tax values (UVT).

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Latin America stands as a highly promising region for the industry. Explore its landscape to effectively enter and thrive in this market.