Coljuegos aids in joint operation against illegal gambling

1,000 items were seized in the operation.

Within two departments in Colombia, namely Atlántico and Cesar, a joint operation was carried out to combat illegal gambling operations. 

The gambling regulator within the country, Coljuegos, as well as the Attorney General’s Office and the National Army’s Gaula undertook the operation, seizing 1,000 items worth an estimated value of COP$200m (US$46,000). 

In Sabanalarga, which is located in Atlántico, 841 items with a value of COP$114m were seized, where bets were being placed via pages not authorized by Coljuegos. 

While in Valledupar, the capital of Cesar Department, 159 items were seized, which were used to place illegal bets online. 

In total, nine raids were carried out, with seven people being prosecuted for allegedly carrying out money laundering. 

Good to know: To date, Coljuegos has seized approximately 4,500 slot machines and online betting modules and destroyed approximately 8,317 illegal items 

Coljuegos President Marco Emilio Hincapié said, “We have dealt a decisive blow to illegals. In the last week alone we carried out control actions in five departments, something never before seen in this state. We are complying with the order of our president Gustavo Petro: to strengthen the industry, combat illegality and increase resources for health. 

“All these seized items will be subject to an administrative process and will subsequently be destroyed by the entity. With this, we guarantee that they will not be put into operation again and continue to defraud resources for the health of Colombians.” 

This carries on recent efforts by Coljuegos to deal with illegal gambling in Colombia, seizing 60 illegal slot machines in Cartagena last month and in September, the regulator destroyed COP$445m in illegal gaming equipment, and also seized equipment in Nariño linked to the illegal ‘24’ game. 

Ciaran McLoughlin

Editor

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