In another blow to illegal gambling activities in the country, Colombian gaming regulator Coljuegos has carried out its “largest ever” operation. It has seized a significant amount of equipment and property used in illegal gambling establishments across the country.
The operation focused on establishments in the communities of Atlántico, Magdalena, Cesar, and Guajira. In conjunction with local law enforcement agencies, Coljuegos seized 778 items, including slot machines, gambling devices, televisions and technological equipment, valued at approximately COP3 billion (US$756,000).
The crackdown on illegal gambling comes as Coljuegos seeks to strengthen its enforcement efforts in the country. It comes just days after the regulator announced that it would target illegal slots. Coljuegos has said that these deprive the government of at least COP945 billion (US$238.14 million) in tax revenue.
Widespread Disregard for the Law
Coljuegos president Marco Emilio Hincapié said in a statement that the operation targeted two major illegal gambling venues, Azar Games and Atlantis Games, located in the city of Valledupar. They had evaded paying around COP50 billion (US$12.5 million) in gaming licensing fees annually since they opened. These resources, Hincapié emphasized, should have been allocated to support the country’s healthcare system.
The seizures were conducted at 21 sites across the four departments, and 14 individuals have already been prosecuted in connection with the illegal gambling operations. Six of these are awaiting a decision from a judge regarding their pretrial detention status. Additionally, authorities are pursuing the forfeiture of a warehouse in Valledupar where illegal slot machines were manufactured.
Hincapié highlighted the significance of this operation, stating that it represents the largest seizure of illegal gambling equipment Coljuegos has conducted since its inception. He commended the efforts of Coljuegos staff and law enforcement partners in carrying out the operation. In addition, Hincapié emphasized the regulator’s commitment to safeguarding the interests of Colombian citizens and upholding the rule of law.
Colombian Regulated Gaming Rises
In 2023, Coljuegos achieved a significant milestone in the legal gaming industry by recording a 27.5% increase in revenue allocated to the healthcare sector. This translates into approximately US$200 million in revenue that will be used to support the Colombian healthcare system.
Casinos and bingo parlors, which generated US$17.3 million, were the primary drivers behind the growth. Lottery draws and related products, which contributed US$8.48 million, followed. The figures represent a substantial increase from the previous year, when Coljuegos generated US$15.77 million for the healthcare sector.
This positive development highlights the online gaming industry’s vital role in supporting essential public services in Colombia. The tax revenue and contributions from the regulated gaming space fund various state-led agencies, including state and local health funds and the Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation. This ensures that the revenue from the online gaming industry will improve the quality of healthcare services available to Colombian citizens.
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