Colombian regulator blocks over 8,000 operators

Garance Limouzy July 19, 2024

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Colombian regulator blocks over 8,000 operators

In Colombia, a total of 8,676 unauthorised sports betting and online casino sites have been blocked by the regulator, Coljuegos.

ISP blocking

Coljuegos began using ISP blocking in 2016, the year of regulation and the establishment of the first licensing system for iGaming in Latin America. Since then, 15,521 websites have been blocked by the Colombian regulator, including over 6,000 unlicensed casinos and bingo sites.

Marco Emilio Hincapié, the president of Coljuegos, explains, “We have already hired a firm specialising in cybersecurity and digital monitoring to intensify efforts to identify and block portals where illegal betting is carried out or promoted.”

Since 2020, Coljuegos has also partnered with the Ministry of IT and Communications to fight the black market while protecting the legal market.

Coljuegos’ efforts will not stop at blocking illegal websites but will also target influencers promoting illegal games. “We hope that during the second half of this year, we will be able to block hundreds of websites and even social media profiles where illegal games of chance are promoted or carried out,” explained Hincapié.

Coljuegos head added: “We want to remind citizens that promoting or advertising illegal gambling portals is an activity not allowed by law. For this reason, we will continue to carry out exhaustive surveillance of the network to prevent illegality from scamming players and affecting health resources.”

Only 15 licensed iGaming operators

In Colombia, Coljuegos has issued only 15 licenses for iGaming operators. The regulator reminded Colombians who want to partake in iGaming that “before playing, they should verify that the websites are authorised. Otherwise, they would not only be betting illegally, but they would be putting their money at risk.”

In March 2024, Hincapié had warned players that choosing unlicensed operators also meant “supporting betting houses that do not contribute resources for the health of less privileged Colombians.”