Colombia online gambling concession (Coljuegos)
Colombia was the first regulated online gambling market in Latin America. Operators sign a concession contract with Coljuegos covering approved games, after technical certification and financial guarantees.
- Best for
- Regulated access to Colombian players
- Who can be licensed
- B2C operators
- Markets it serves
- Latin America
Colombia was the first regulated online gambling market in Latin America. Operators sign an online concession contract with Coljuegos, the regulator, under Law 643 of 2001 and Law 1753 of 2015, covering approved games such as casino, live casino, bingo and sports betting. The concession is signed by a Colombian company, typically for five years, after technical certification and financial guarantees. Plan for 4–6 months.
- Status
- Licensing open
- Regulator
- Coljuegos
- Legal basis
- Law 643 of 2001 and Law 1753 of 2015
- Status checked
- October 16, 2026
A concession, not a license
Online gambling in Colombia is a state activity operated by private companies under concession contracts with Coljuegos.
Concession contract
A multi-year contract, typically five years, listing the approved games: casino, live casino, bingo and sports betting.
Guarantees
Bank guarantees or insurance covering the contract, prizes and player funds.
Supervision
Real-time data connection to Coljuegos and certified platforms.
What Coljuegos expects
Colombian company
A Colombian legal entity to sign the concession, with disclosed shareholders and beneficial owners.
Financial capacity
Audited financial statements, net worth and evidence of funds to cover player balances.
Certification
Platform and games certified by a Coljuegos-authorized laboratory.
Technical rules
Reporting, data storage and connection requirements of the Coljuegos technical regulation.
SIPLAFT
AML/CFT framework with a compliance officer and reporting to the UIAF.
Guarantees
Contract compliance guarantee and coverage of prizes, posted at signing.
How the application runs
Plan for 4–6 months, depending on company setup, laboratory certification and the Coljuegos review.
- 1StructureColombian entity and ownership disclosure.
- 2CertificationPlatform and games certified by an authorized lab.
- 3ApplicationApplication to Coljuegos with financial and technical files.
- 4ContractConcession contract signed and guarantees posted.
- 5LaunchGo-live with the data connection to Coljuegos.
Ongoing obligations
- Exploitation rights and VAT paid on time
- Real-time and periodic reporting to Coljuegos
- SIPLAFT AML program and UIAF reports
- Bonus recording and reporting
- Advertising and minor protection rules; ads identify the operator as authorized
How online gaming is taxed
Exploitation rights
Concession holders pay exploitation rights to Coljuegos on their gaming revenue, as set in the contract.
VAT on GGR in 2026
For 2026, the 19% VAT on online gambling applies to gross gaming revenue instead of player deposits, under an emergency decree.
Legal uncertainty
The decree’s legality has been questioned; we confirm the tax base that applies when you model the business.
Corporate tax
Colombian corporate income tax applies to the concession holder’s profit.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a Colombian company?
Yes. The concession is signed by a Colombian legal entity.
How long is the concession?
Typically five years, as set in the contract.
How is online gaming taxed in 2026?
Exploitation rights to Coljuegos plus 19% VAT, which for 2026 applies to gross gaming revenue instead of deposits under an emergency decree.
Which games are covered?
The games listed in the contract: online casino, live casino, bingo and sports betting.
How do players know a site is legal?
Licensed sites and their ads show that they are authorized by Coljuegos; unlicensed sites are blocked.
Ready to apply in Colombia?
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