Colombia to allow live online casino, global poker liquidity

The colombian gaming regulator Coljuegos is to allow licensed operators to offer live online casino and share global liquidity for online poker and exchange betting.

In a draft decree published on its website last week, Coljuegos said the move will allow Colombia to become “even more competitive” with internationally licensed operators that are active in the country without a national licence.

Measures featured in the decree include allowing licensed operators to conduct live dealer baccarat, blackjack and roulette games, as well as random number generator casino products.

Coljuegos will also enable companies to offer keno products, in addition to both virtual sports and racing betting services.

In regards to online poker liquidity sharing, this would be restricted to other jurisdictions that have legalised internet gaming and have regulations in place.

Coljuegos picked out France, Italy, Portugal and Spain as regulated markers that it believes it can strike up a relationship with in terms of sharing liquidity.

In October 2016, Colombia became the first jurisdiction in the Latin America region to formally approve online gambling and has since been seeking to clamp down on unlicensed activities in the country.

The latest move comes after Coljuegos issued a number of gambling licences in recent months to allow companies to operate in the country.

Wplay.co picked up the first licence under new national laws in the country back in June and has since struck up a partnership with Quickfire to offer a selection of content from Microgaming.

Corredor Empresarial has also rolled out Betplay.com.co, while GAMING1 and Vicca Group have launched Zamba.co, while domestic operator Colbet last month acquired its own online gambling licence.

Reports in the local Colombian media last week said that Codere has also secured a licence in the country.

Coljuegos president Juan B. Perez Hidalgo said that the regulator expects to award “at least two more” online licences before the end of the year.