Coljuegos blocks 10,000 illegal gambling websites and social media profiles  

February 4, 2025
By
Leer en Español

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.

State-by-State

Company Spotlight

Bragg Gaming

Bragg Gaming Group is a global content-driven iGaming technology provider, serving online and land-based gaming operators with its proprietary and exclusive content and cutting-edge technology.
Virtual Showroom

Supplier

Supplier

Supplier

Supplier

Supplier

Industry Awards

Supplier

Land-Based

Supplier

Supplier

GA Newsletter

Exclusive news, analysis, insights, and interviews delivered straight to your inbox

Kiko Augusto - From fantasy sports to sports betting in Brazil

Rei do Pitaco CEO Kiko Augusto joins the (on-this-occasion-injured) Gaming America Editor, Tim Poole, for a Huddle to talk all things Brazil!

Rickard Vikström: How 2025 is shaping up for US iGaming

Internet Vikings CEO & Founder Rickard Vikström joins Gaming America to discuss the US online landscape in 2025.


Another year approaches its end, as 2024 slowly becomes our past, 2025 the present and a wave of opportunity defines gaming's future. There is an air of change as the regulated gaming world looks to welcome a new entra...

8-10-From-the-top
From the top: Reflecting on the past and looking to the future of land-based casinos
Gaming America reviews the closures of the Mirage Hotel and Casino, as well as the Tropicana, but also keeps an eye on the future with Durango Casino and Resort GM David Horn.
36-41-Oliver-Lovat
Cover Feature: Exploring what might be next for land-based casinos
Nothing is new. Everything is new. Oliver Lovat, regular Gaming America columnist and resident Las Vegas expert, discusses what the next generation of casinos need to succeed, while also reflecting on Vegas' generational shift away from the Tropicana and Mirage.
42-43-Lefosse---Brazilian-Sports-Betting
Steadying the ship in LatAm's largest market
After regulatory limbo, sports betting in Brazil is moving towards legal certainty – by Eduardo Carvalhaes, partner in Public Law and Regulation at Lefosse, and Karen Coutinho, counsel in Public Law and Regulation at Lefosse.
44-45-Lazarus-Legal
Brazilian opportunity: The future of LatAm
Edwin Monzon, Managing Partner of Lazarus Legal, speaks to Gaming America about Brazil's upcoming iGaming and online sports betting regulation, assessing both the prospects and challenges involved.

Sweepstakes were the talk of G2E 2024 and are generating plenty of headlines as we enter 2025. It is a fascinating vertical – and indeed whether it should even be seen as a legal vertical at all is in question. The Am...

8-10-From-the-Top
Countdown to launch: Just in time
In this edition of From The Top, Caesars New Orleans SVP and GM Samir Mowad speaks with Kirk Geller to detail what the future holds after the property finally completed its $435m transformation.
14-15-GGA-Americas
The industry's best getting their deserved recognition
The 11th annual Global Gaming Awards Americas once again honored and rewarded the gaming industry's strongest performers throughout the prior 12 months during G2E in Las Vegas.
16-18-G2E-Review
G2E 2024: Discussing the future of US iGaming
A deep dive into the lively debate: Gaming America's Laura Mack examines the objections to US iGaming expansion and the mythbusters offered as a rebuttal at G2E. Surely, it is inevitable in the long run?
20-21-year-review
G2E 2024: A year in review
Gaming America sits down with Pro League Network's (PLN) Mike Salvaris at The Venetian during G2E, to sum up the year and give us the inside scoop of what sports betting has in store for 2025.