Coljuegos blocks 10,000 illegal gambling websites and social media profiles
Colombia’s gambling regulator has blocked 10,000 websites and social media profiles for unauthorized gaming operations, marking the biggest crackdown on illegal betting in the entity’s history.
Key Points
- Coljuegos has shut down 10,000 illegal gambling websites and social media accounts
- The regulator is pursuing 35 sanctioning processes against influencers and companies promoting unauthorized gambling
- 289 additional social media profiles have been flagged for removal in coordination with law enforcement and Meta
Coljuegos, the regulatory body overseeing games of chance in Colombia, has blocked 10,000 illegal gambling websites and social media profiles, reinforcing efforts to combat unauthorized gaming activities.
The move aims to protect state revenues designated for healthcare funding, which are supported by legal gambling operators in the country.
Marco Emilio Hincapié, President of Coljuegos, said: “During our administration, we have managed to forcefully attack illegals who, through fraudulent sites, operate games of chance without the respective authorization. This is the highest number of blocked portals in the history of our entity.”
The crackdown is part of a broader strategy to safeguard public funds and eliminate unregulated gambling platforms that do not contribute to Colombia’s gaming tax system.
Good to know: Only 16 operators hold licenses to provide internet betting services in the country, contributing approximately $435m in gaming taxes in 2024, all of which were allocated to strengthen the nation’s subsidized healthcare system.
In addition to website closures, Coljuegos has launched 35 administrative investigations into influencers and businesses accused of promoting unlicensed gaming platforms through social media.
The regulator has also requested the Cyber Police Center and Meta to block an additional 289 social media profiles, including those on Facebook and Instagram, that have allegedly facilitated unauthorized gambling advertisements, raffles and promotional events.
The operation of illegal games of chance in Colombia is classified as a criminal offense under Article 312 of the Criminal Code, with offenders facing fines of up to 100 times the legal monthly minimum wage.
The latest action follows Coljuegos’ ongoing enforcement efforts, which in September 2024 saw the destruction of over $445m worth of illegal gaming equipment confiscated in recent years. The regulator estimated that these illicit machines, which included slot terminals, bingo boards and betting kiosks, would have deprived the healthcare system of $78.4m annually in tax revenue.
The regulator continues to enforce control measures in previously unmonitored areas, including Atlántico, Bolívar, Antioquia, and Cundinamarca, where illegal gaming operations have historically thrived.
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