Colombia is strengthening its gambling standards

Garance Limouzy September 26, 2024

SiGMA news

Colombia’s national gaming regulator, Coljuegos, has introduced a focused on responsible gambling standards for operators across the country. The proposed regulation, released on 24 September 2024, is set to address the previous regulatory shortcomings.

Protecting players

The draft resolution is built around defined core objectives focused on promoting responsible gambling, safeguarding vulnerable groups, and providing support for those affected by problem gambling. These objectives include: – Educating citizens on the importance of responsible gambling. – Preventing unauthorised gambling and protecting both gamblers and non-gamblers from its risks. – Offering tools and resources to guide players in managing their gambling behaviour. – Creating a centralised source of information on support organisations for those seeking help with gambling issues.

Operators will have to implement responsible gaming plans

Under the proposed regulation, gambling operators will be required to implement comprehensive responsible gambling plans. They will also be required to monitor and report on the effectiveness of the programmes after implementation. Additionally, the regulation requires operators to cater to a diverse range of player profiles, from those showing no risk of addiction to individuals already identified as being at risk. Special attention will have to be given to minors, young adults, and the elderly.

Addressing shortcomings

The new draft also seeks to correct many of the operational issues present in the 2021 guidelines. According to , the original resolution contained obligations that were difficult, if not impossible, to comply with. This included requirements for a central database and partnerships with governmental bodies to assist problem gamblers, both of which lacked the necessary infrastructure in Colombia.

The self-exclusion policy will be changed if the draft resolution is implemented. Players will be required to choose a specific period (30, 60, or 90 days) during which they will be excluded from participating in gambling activities. Once a player opts for self-exclusion, they will no longer have the option to reverse their decision until the designated period has passed, providing a more robust safeguard against impulsive behaviour. Coljuegos is accepting feedback on the draft resolution until 30 September 2024. If approved, operators will need to comply with these new measures by December 1, 2024.

Industry’s reaction

The gambling sector has broadly welcomed the new draft regulation, as it addresses many of the inconsistencies found in the 2021 guidelines. The clearer framework will likely make it easier for operators to implement responsible gambling programmes that genuinely protect players. However, industry representatives have also voiced concerns about the financial burden that compliance may impose, especially for smaller operators. Simultaneously, another potential challenge for operators — the introduction of a VAT tax on gambling revenues — appears to have been avoided for now. This decision offers relief to licensed online gambling operators, who had feared the tax would negatively impact their operations.

Broader efforts to regulate the gaming market in Colombia

In other news, yesterday, 25 September, in Pasto, Nariño, the Colombian regulator Coljuegos, alongside the National Police, seized 15 gambling items, , and arrested one person for illegal possession of weapons. The raid targeted the illegal game “24,” which operates without regulation in Nariño and the Coffee Region. Authorities confiscated $21 million in cash, which will be directed to Colombia’s health system. Coljuegos President Marco Emilio Hincapié champions the nationwide effort to fight illegal gambling, which drains $6,000 million annually from the region and deprives funds for public health. So far, Coljuegos has seized 2,900 illegal gambling items countrywide.