Social Aspects: Gambling Addiction and Regulation - Colombia

Key message: "legal market = less risk"

Colombia is LatAm's first fully regulated online marketplace. Coljuegos sets technical requirements for Internet games (RNG, betting/payout accounting, log storage, security, KYC/AML) and controls the admission of operators. This is the basis of a responsible environment: for legal ones. co-sites verifiable infrastructure and mandatory player protection warnings/procedures.

What exactly is the state doing to reduce harm

1) Tight access control and fight against illegal.

In February 2025, Coljuegos reported blocking 10,000 sites and social media profiles that worked without permission. In the fall of 2025, the regulator additionally demanded to block the portal that accepted bets on political events. The goal is to divert demand from the "gray zone," where there are no checks or player protection.

2) Advertising and promotional restrictions.

Advertising is prohibited for any online games without Coljuegos authorization; operator communications must comply with the rules (only approved types of games, mandatory disclaimers, a ban on misleading vulnerable groups, etc.). Industry legal reviews systematize the requirements and practice of their application.

3) A single public "play it legal - support health care" frame.

Through the CNJSA portal, the state promotes the Jugar Legal es Apostarle a la Salud branding and maintains public registers/statistics. This increases the recognition of "white" operators and transparency for citizens.

4) Feedback channels.

Coljuegos publishes official contacts for appeals (hotline, e-mail). If you encounter problems with the operator or see illegal advertising/site, contact the regulator directly.

Where the operator's liability limit lies

Licensed. co-operator is obliged to comply with technical regulations: this includes control of age restrictions, informing about responsible participation, correct identification and financial monitoring (KYC/AML), as well as transparent bonus/advertising rules. These requirements are sewn up in Requisitos técnicos and the associated standard.

Why youth are an attention group

Colombian and international studies have previously noted an increased vulnerability of adolescents and young men to the risks of gambling disorders (data for Colombia include samples of students with a high proportion of screening "risk"). Conclusion: prevention and competent communication are critical for young audiences.

Practical advice to the player and family

Check the legality of the site. Play only on sites marked Autorizado por Coljuegos and in the list of allowed domains. co is a guarantee of control and protection procedures.

Treat ads critically. Any aggressive promotional communication from "unlicensed" sites is a red flag; in Colombia, such advertising is prohibited. Report to regulator.

Notice the problem - ask for help. Contact Coljuegos via hotline/mail; the regulator will redirect to specialized services and accept a complaint against the operator or an illegal resource.

Simple self-test. Short screening questions ("do I have to hide the scale of the game? , ""does it take more and more money to feel the same? ") help to notice the risk in time and contact a specialist.

Balance of interests of the company

• directs legal payments of operators to the health care system, narrows the illegal segment with locks and counter-advertising measures, keeps operators in strict compliance and communication frameworks.
• In combination, this reduces social harm and increases consumer security.

Colombia's social policy in the field of gambling is based on three pillars: a strict license and technical regulations of Coljuegos, advertising restrictions and the label "play legally," an active sweep of illegal. For the player, this means: select only authorized. co-platforms, treat promo critically and at the first sign of a problem seek help - this is how you play safer and support the "white" system, where part of the proceeds goes to healthcare.

Note to the editor: specific wording of advertising restrictions and blocking procedures are regularly updated; when preparing materials, check the latest Coljuegos publications, legal reviews and the CNJSA portal.