Colombia regulator seeks to limit online gambling bonuses
New limits on online gambling bonuses aim to curb excessive promotions following the introduction of a VAT on deposits.
Colombia’s gaming regulator Coljuegos has published a draft resolution that would impose limits on bonus offerings by online gambling operators, citing concerns over declining revenue transfers to the country’s healthcare system.
The proposal comes after the Government introduced a value-added tax on online gambling deposits in February 2025 through Decree 175. According to Coljuegos, operators responded by significantly increasing bonus distributions to players, with bonuses rising from 0.3% of total wagers before the tax to 3.4% afterward.
This shift has impacted the gross gaming revenue that serves as the basis for calculating exploitation rights, the fees operators pay to the state.
Under the proposed regulation, operators would face different bonus caps depending on whether the VAT remains in effect. During periods when the tax applies, monthly bonus credits converted for gameplay could not exceed 1.6% of total gross revenue recorded on the platform that month.
If the tax is removed, operators would be limited to distributing bonuses equivalent to the average monthly exploitation rights paid over the previous twelve months, including fixed fees.
New operators without operational history would be restricted to one-twelfth of their annual fixed exploitation rights during their first year, with standard limits applying thereafter.
The draft resolution is open for public comment until November 4, 2025. Coljuegos has stated it will review submissions from industry associations, concessionaires and other stakeholders before finalizing the regulation.
The regulator also clarified that the measure would apply to all legal entities holding active concession contracts to operate online gambling in Colombia. Non-compliance would be considered a breach of contract terms, potentially resulting in fines, penalties or contract termination.
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