Basic Laws: Ley 643 (2001) and Amendments - Colombia

The legal evolution of the Colombian gambling market relies on four reference points: Ley 643/2001 (framework law), Ley 1393/2010 (fiscal and sanctions changes), Decree 4142/2011 (creation of the Coljuegos regulator) and the 2016-2018 online regulation package (Coljuegos acts). Together they form one of the slimmest regimes in Latin America.

1) Ley 643 de 2001: basic law on "luck and chance games"

State monopoly and definitions. The law enshrined that the monopoly on the exploitation of games belongs to the state; determined which products belong to "luck and chance games" and which are excluded (family/school, promotional draws, etc.).

Operating model. Established forms of concessions/contracts, rights and obligations of operators, distribution of payments ("derechos de explotación") and control.

Social purpose. Revenues from the sector are used to finance the health care system and other public needs - a key principle that was later strengthened by subsequent acts.

2) Ley 1393 de 2010: fiscal and sanctions adjustments to Ley 643

Increased accountability. The law modified Art. 44 Ley 643/2001, strengthening sanctions for evading the payment of "derechos de explotación" and administrative expenses, and also gave tools to combat illegal exploitation.

The procedure for receiving and paying prizes that are not in demand on time, and other fiscal mechanisms were clarified and related to the intended purpose of funds (health).

3) Decreto 4142 de 2011: creation of a specialized regulator Coljuegos

Organ establishment. The decree created the state regulatory company Coljuegos, giving it the authority to operate, administer, regulate and supervise games included in the monopoly that are not assigned to other departments.

Institutional effect. A single competence center for licensing, payment control and combating the illegal segment has appeared - the basis for further "digital" reform.

4) Online Regulation 2016-2018: Transition to eGaming

• Resolución 20161200013324 (2016) - regulation of games operated via the Internet, and technical requirements for their work.
• Resolución 20161200025334 (2016) - requirements and guarantees for obtaining a concession for Internet operations.
• Acuerdo 4 de 2016 and Acuerdo 5 de 2018 are basic regulations and its subsequent adjustment for "juegos operados por internet" as "juego novedoso."
• Update dynamics. Coljuegos regularly modifies by-laws (including in 2025 changes to the 2016 resolution were published), maintaining the relevance of technology and compliance requirements.

5) How norms work together (legal architecture)

1. Ley 643/2001 defines the constitution of the sector: state monopoly, subject of regulation, basic payments and operating principles.

2. Ley 1393/2010 adds fiscal and sanction "teeth" to minimise evasion and illegal activity.

3. Decreto 4142/2011 creates an operational "hand" of the state - Coljuegos, capable of developing regulations and monitoring their implementation.

4. Acts 2016-2018 form a digital circuit: licensing and technical supervision for online games, which makes the Columbia model a reference for the region.

6) Practical conclusions for content and operators

Reference primary sources. When describing the rules, indicate the number and date of the act (Ley 643/2001; Ley 1393/2010; Decreto 4142/2011; Resolución 20161200013324/20161200025334; Acuerdo 4/2016 и 5/2018). This removes the debate about interpretation.

Consider online updatability. In blocks about technical requirements (KYC/AML, reporting, RNG/live, responsible game) check the latest Coljuegos resolutions - the moving part of the system.

Social connective. Note that revenues are directed to health care - this is the key to public support for the sector, fixed in the basic norms.

Conclusion

The Colombian model is built on the principle of "frame - institute - digitalization": Ley 643/2001 set the legal architecture and social goal of income; Ley 1393/2010 increased fiscal discipline and sanctions; Decree 4142/2011 created Coljuegos; and the 2016-2018 acts legalized and "challenged" online games. As a result, Colombia has become a regional benchmark: with a single regulator, a developed by-law array and a working "white" online segment.