Coljuegos (COLJ)

Coljuegos, operating under the Ministry of Finance and Public Credit, serves as the official regulator of gambling in Colombia, overseeing both online and land-based activities. Established in 2012, the authority has worked to uphold the state’s monopoly while fostering a legal framework that encourages safe and responsible gambling practices.

The core responsibilities of Coljuegos

In 2016, the authority expanded its oversight to include online casinos, introducing a licensing system to regulate the growing number of gambling websites operating outside its jurisdiction. Prior to this development, regulation was limited exclusively to land-based casinos.

The core responsibilities of Coljuegos include:

Developing and issuing gambling regulations
Monitoring licensed operators and ensuring compliance
Combating illegal gambling activities
Safeguarding transparency and player protection
Granting licenses to authorized operators

Note:
One of the key objectives of Colombia’s gambling monopoly is to generate revenue that supports the nation’s public health services. By law, all proceeds from gambling activities must be allocated to socially beneficial programs and initiatives.

Both domestic and international gambling operators are required to obtain a license before offering services to players in Colombia. Those operating without authorization face severe penalties, which may include substantial fines and prison sentences of up to eight years.

Complaint Submission Process

Colombian casinos are held to strict operational standards, and Coljuegos plays an active role in assisting players with disputes involving both licensed and unlicensed online operators. If a player believes they have been treated unfairly, they can submit a formal complaint through the Requests, Complaints, Claims, and Information Requests Form.

Furthermore, individuals may report illegal gambling establishments or unauthorized Games of Luck and Chance by completing the Illegal Games Complaint Form.

Player safety and responsible gambling

A key priority for Coljuegos is promoting player safety and responsible gambling. The authority upholds the principle that players have the right to be informed about the risks of gambling, to be protected, and to receive support when playing on licensed platforms. At the same time, licensed operators are required to make responsible gambling resources easily accessible to their users.

While Coljuegos does not offer a direct exclusion system on its website, all licensed gambling platforms must provide self-exclusion options to players. Any exclusion requests are reported to Coljuegos and added to the national exclusion register, ensuring that restrictions apply across all licensed gambling services until the exclusion either expires or is formally lifted.