Coljuegos licence: what it means, how to check it, licensed casinos
Colombia's state company that runs the national gambling monopoly since 2011; grants concession contracts for online casinos, betting and land-based games.
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Founded
2011
About the Empresa Industrial y Comercial del Estado Administradora del Monopolio Rentístico de los Juegos de Suerte y Azar (Coljuegos)
Coljuegos was created in 2011 by Decree-Law 4142 as a state-owned industrial and commercial company that administers Colombia's monopoly on games of chance. Under Law 643 of 2001 the state holds exclusive rights over gambling, and Coljuegos grants private companies the right to operate certain games through concession contracts.
Article 93 of Law 1753 of 2015 amended Law 643 so that sports betting and all games operated over the internet, including casino games, count as novel games under Coljuegos' authority. Rules for online betting have applied since 2016, and the first authorized online operator entered the market in 2017.
For players, a Coljuegos concession means the operator meets financial, technical and legal requirements, and its platform must offer controls such as daily and monthly deposit limits, self-exclusion and cooling-off periods. Coljuegos asks the Ministry of ICT to have internet providers block illegal sites, and it issued more than 14,500 blocking orders in the four years to March 2024.
To check an operator, look for its concession contract number on the site and compare it with the official list of authorized operators published by Coljuegos. A .co domain is a useful hint but not proof of authorization.
Recent changes
14 February 2025: Decree 0175 of 2025, issued under a state of internal commotion, applied 19% VAT to player deposits on online gambling until 31 December 2025. Later changes to this tax were proposed and reported, but their current status was not verified here.
Coljuegos licence facts
| Country | Colombia |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2011 |
| Law | Law 643 of 2001 (state gambling monopoly), with Article 38 amended by Article 93 of Law 1753 of 2015 to cover games operated over the internet; Coljuegos created by Decree-Law 4142 of 2011 |
| Licenses | online casino, online sports betting, slot machines, land-based casinos, bingo, novel games |
| Licence types | Concession contract (contrato de concesión) for games operated over the internet, Concession contracts for land-based games |
| Market | Grants concession contracts to operators serving players in Colombia only; authorized online sites typically use .co domains. |
| Player protection | Authorized platforms must offer daily and monthly deposit limits. Authorized platforms must offer self-exclusion and cooling-off periods. Payout percentages checked through audits. Illegal betting sites blocked through internet service providers. |
| Complaints | Players can report breaches of the rules to Coljuegos through its PQRSD channel or its illegal gambling hotline, take consumer complaints to the Superintendencia de Industria y Comercio, and report illegal operators to the Fiscalía. |
| Website | www.coljuegos.gov.co |
Coljuegos licence FAQ
How do I check if a casino is authorized by Coljuegos?
Find the operator's concession contract number on its site and compare the company with the list of authorized online operators that Coljuegos publishes. Authorized sites usually use a .co domain, but the domain alone does not prove authorization.
Is online casino legal in Colombia?
Yes, when the operator holds a concession contract with Coljuegos. Law 1753 of 2015 brought casino games and sports betting operated over the internet under the state monopoly that Coljuegos manages.
When did Colombia regulate online gambling?
Online betting rules have applied since 2016, and the first authorized online operator entered the market in 2017.
Where can I complain about a Colombian online casino?
You can report rule breaches to Coljuegos through its PQRSD channel, file a consumer complaint with the Superintendencia de Industria y Comercio, or report illegal operators to the Fiscalía.
Do online gambling deposits in Colombia carry VAT?
Decree 0175 of 2025 applied 19% VAT to deposits on online gambling from 14 February 2025 until 31 December 2025. Check current tax rules with official sources, as later changes were proposed.
What responsible gambling tools must authorized sites offer?
Authorized platforms must offer daily and monthly deposit limits, self-exclusion and cooling-off periods.
Other gambling regulators
Researched by Konrad van Daath, checked 7 November 2026. Facts come from public sources (asuntoslegales.com.co, coljuegos.gov.co, elheraldo.co, vanguardia.com, focusgn.com). Always confirm a licence in the regulator's own register. Gambling is for adults only and can be addictive; play responsibly.
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