Yes - online gambling is legal and regulated in Colombia. Colombia was the first country in Latin America to regulate online gaming (regulation from 2016, first online concession in 2017), and today licensed operators such as Wplay, BetPlay and Rushbet run under concession contracts granted by the state regulator, Coljuegos. Betting is legal for players and operators, but only through Coljuegos-licensed sites; unlicensed offshore platforms are actively blocked. In 2026 the sector was hit by a raised consumption tax on operators (16% of gross game revenue under Decree 0240), while player prizes are taxed at 20%. Crypto gambling remains offshore and unlicensed - licensed operators cannot accept crypto.

Gambling in Colombia is a state monopoly (monopolio rentístico) whose proceeds are earmarked for the public health system. It is administered by Coljuegos. Colombia pioneered regulated iGaming in the region: Wplay signed the first online concession contract (contract C1422) in 2017. Coljuegos grants a B2C concession covering online verticals such as sports betting, casino, poker and bingo. Concession contracts are time-limited (multi-year terms). In 2026 Coljuegos continued updating its technical requirements for online games to strengthen certification and transaction traceability.

Licensed vs offshore operators

Licensed operators are legally backed and contribute to the health system. Coljuegos is aggressive against offshore sites: in early 2025 it reported blocking around 10,000 websites and social-media profiles offering illegal betting - the highest number in the entity’s history. Choosing a licensed brand means your funds, withdrawals and complaints are covered by Colombian rules. Offshore sites - including many crypto casinos licensed abroad in places like Curacao - are not regulated locally and offer no local recourse.

ItemDetail
Legal statusLegal, regulated (online since 2016-2017)
RegulatorColjuegos
Licence typeB2C concession contract (multi-year)
Operator tax15% of GGR standard; 16% of gross game revenue under Decree 0240 (12 Mar 2026)
Player winnings20% occasional-gains withholding at source
Tax authorityDIAN

Payment methods locals use

On licensed sites, Colombians pay in pesos using local rails: PSE (online bank transfer), the Nequi and Daviplata mobile wallets, cash networks like Efecty and Baloto, and debit/credit cards. Notably, even Stake - a brand known globally for crypto - operates in Colombia under a Coljuegos licence using pesos only, with no crypto payments. Offshore crypto casinos that accept Bitcoin or USDT are unlicensed in Colombia.

Crypto gambling

There is no law specifically banning crypto gambling, and cryptocurrency is legal to hold - though it is not legal tender. But Coljuegos-licensed operators are not permitted to accept cryptocurrency, so all licensed play is in COP. That leaves crypto gambling offshore and unregulated locally: individuals may use foreign crypto casinos, but without local consumer protection. The 2026 consumption-tax decree references deposits made in cryptocurrency as a taxable event, but in practice licensed operators do not accept crypto.

Tax on winnings

Colombia’s 2025-2026 tax situation was turbulent. An emergency 19% VAT on deposits introduced in February 2025 was associated with a roughly 30% drop in online GGR, per the industry federation Fecoljuegos. In January 2026 the Constitutional Court suspended the emergency decree - the first time it had suspended an emergency economic decree - leaving operators on the standard 15% GGR tax. The government then set a 16% consumption tax on gross game revenue via Decree 0240 (signed 12 March 2026), applied at the point of deposit. For players, prize money is taxed as an ‘occasional gain’ at 20%, withheld at source.

Safer gambling and help

Colombia has built out responsible-gambling infrastructure. Coljuegos runs a responsible-gambling programme and a self-exclusion register, and 2026 rules extend responsible-gambling duties to online lottery and chance operators. Free support includes Línea 106 (mental-health line) and Jugadores Anónimos (Gamblers Anonymous) groups in major cities. Check current details directly with Coljuegos.

18+ only. Gambling should be entertainment, not income. If it stops being fun, use Coljuegos self-exclusion, call Línea 106, or contact Jugadores Anónimos. Play responsibly.

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