Coljuegos extends deadline for RG action implementation until August
Resolution 7,624 of 2024 means that operators with an ongoing concession contract with Coljuegos now have until 1 August to put into effect actions to promote RG in Colombia.
Coljuegos president Marco Emilio Hincapié says the core objective of Resolution 7,624 of 2024 is to galvanise operators into forming strategies to raise RG awareness related to inappropriate levels of gambling.
Hincapié explained: “The responsible gaming strategy is made up of two stages: first, implementation, which is in charge of the operators and includes self-control mechanisms for the players; and second, monitoring, through which the results of the programme are evaluated.”
Coljuegos looking to protect vulnerable players in Colombia
On 2 May, a working group will meet alongside foundations seeking an agreement with Coljuegos to promote RG.
Hincapié declared Coljuegos is working to strengthen its RG promotion, with the key aim of protecting Colombia’s most vulnerable players.
“We have been working hand in hand with the operators with the intention of establishing guidelines and management indicators for the creation and implementation of good practices manuals for responsible gaming,” Hincapié added.
“We are also working on building a support network for those potentially affected. To this end, we have approached organisations and institutions that provide mental health services to help us care for those who present symptoms of uncontrolled gambling.”
Coljuegos attempts to become advertising regulator
In October last year, a bill was submitted with Coljuegos aiming to become the regulator of gambling advertising in Colombia.
Coljuegos issued a resolution explaining its methods of regulating adverts in Colombia. The measures included limits on marketing expenditure to 20% of projected gross gambling revenue (GGR) and bans on misleading ads. Coljuegos would also prohibit operators from sending marketing content to those who have self-excluded.
Those measures would have come into effect on 1 January this year. However, the Colombian government decided not to approve Coljuegos’ efforts and the bill failed to pass as a result.
What gambling is legal in Colombia?
The Colombian congress passed Law 643 in 2001, enacting the Gambling Act as a result.
Colombia became the first LatAm country to regulate igaming with the Egaming Act in 2016. The act also legalised online sports betting.
For operators with a return-to-player (RTP) rate of 83% of stakes, tax stands at 15%. For those with an RTP rate exceeding 83%, meanwhile, tax contribution is 17% of GGR.