Legality of offline casinos, lotteries and bingo - Colombia

Key finding

In Colombia, offline casinos and bingo are legal, but only as "juegos localizados" under concession contracts with the state (through the regulator Coljuegos). Lotteries are also part of the state monopoly and are held by authorized entities (including the national Baloto). Work without a concession is punishable by fines and other measures.

Legal framework

State monopoly. Ley 643/2001 establishes that the exploitation of "luck and chance games" is the exclusive prerogative of the state, which organizes it through concessions and establishes the directions for the use of income (primarily health care).

Creating a regulator. Decree 4142/2011 established a specialized body Coljuegos (Empresa Industrial y Comercial del Estado) administering the monopoly on games, including licensing/supervision of the terrestrial sector.

Casino and bingo: "juegos localizados"

Definition. "Localized games" are games that are held in commercial premises using equipment: casinos, bingo/video bingo, slot halls, etc. The player is necessarily physically present. This directly follows from legal and by-laws (including a reference to Article 32 Ley 643/2001).

Resolution through concession. Casino/bingo operations require a valid concession contract with Coljuegos; the regulator maintains public lists of authorized establishments (check "where to play legally").

Sanctions for illegal activities. Bingo work without a contract with Coljuegos entails a fine for each seat (thresholds are set), as well as other measures of influence.

Supervision practices. Coljuegos regularly initiates blocking and suppression of illegal offers, confirming the active administration of ground and related activity.

Lotteries (including Baloto)

Lotteries are legal under the monopoly. Ley 643/2001 regulates the forms and principles of lotteries (including departmental lotteries), their frequency and purpose of income.

Baloto (National Numerical Lottery). The game is held on the basis of a concession contract, with certain sales channels (physical points and online). The current contract with Operador Nacional de Juegos S.A.S. is valid until May 24, 2027; sales are allowed through the SuRed and SuperGiros networks, as well as on the official Baloto websites.

Change of operator in 2022. In 2022, Coljuegos officially transferred the concession to the new operator following the competition; The media covered the shift in detail (after many years of IGT work).

What the player/operator should know

1. Legality = having a concession. Casino/bingo and lotteries are legal only under a valid contract with Coljuegos and subject to those/financial requirements. Check the objects in the official list of allowed ones.

2. Ground formats are "localized games." They are required to work in a physical room with equipment, with access control and compliance with the rules of responsible play.

3. Illegal activities are punished. Bingo without a contract - fines; in general, Coljuegos actively suppresses illegal practices, including offline/online channels.

4. Lotteries - only through commissioners. Buy tickets and bet on Baloto and departmental lotteries only in authorized channels (physical and digital) specified by the regulator/operators.

Casinos and bingo in Colombia are allowed as "juegos localizados," but exclusively by concession with Coljuegos and under Ley 643/2001.

Lotteries (including Baloto) are a legal part of the monopoly with fixed operators and sales channels.

Violations entail fines and other measures; the regulator maintains public lists of legal sites and maintains constant control.