Colombian regulator acts tough against illegal gambling

Coljuegos, the gambling regulator of Colombia, has launched a “strong offensive” against illegal gambling operators. Coljuegos has so far confiscated in excess of 2000 illegal slot and betting machines in 2018.

It targeted, aided by federal police, 197 “illegal elements” that functioned in seven establishments in Bogotá and in other towns like Cundinamarca, Boyacá, Santander and Norte de Santander.

President of Coljuegos, Juan B. Pérez Hidalgo, said that a total of “2,534 illegal elements of games of luck and chance” had been withdrawn so far this year. Slot machines and roulette games were also included in the clampdown.

Pérez Hidalgo said that the taxes avoided by the illegal operations could have “financed the subsidised health system and served more than 107,000 Colombians.”

Pérez Hidalgo stated that through operations carried out in 2017 and so far in 2018, 33 people had been arrested for operating games of luck and chance deemed to be illegal, with nine judicial proceedings having been initiated.

The Coljuegos chief added that those who operate such enterprises could face between six and eight years in prison.

There are currently 12 licence-holders for online gaming in Colombia – wplay.co, betplay.com.co, colbet.co, zamba.co, codere.com.co, mijugada.co, masgol.co, luckia.co, sportium.com.co, rushbet.co, aquijuego.co and apuestalo.co.

Source: igamingbusiness.com