Coljuegos says poker tournaments in Colombia require authorisation and concession contracts because poker is legally classified as a game of chance
Coljuegos and the Fiscalía General de la Nación carried out an enforcement operation in Barranquilla over the alleged illegal operation of a poker tournament that did not have the required concession contract or pay the corresponding exploitation rights.
According to Marco Emilio Hincapié, President of Coljuegos, authorities removed 1,869 elements used in poker betting during the operation. The items included poker chips, playing cards, timers, cut cards, tables, invoices and other materials linked to the activity.
The regulator said the tournament was allegedly operating outside the legal framework that governs games of chance in Colombia, where poker is classified under Law 643 of 2001 as a gambling activity rather than a sport.
Marco Emilio Hincapié said: “Queremos ser enfáticos: el póker no es un deporte, es un juego de suerte y azar contemplado en la Ley 643 de 2001, específicamente en el artículo 34. Según nuestro ordenamiento jurídico, ningún acto administrativo puede estar por encima de la ley”.
He added: “Todo campeonato de póker debe contar con la respectiva autorización de Coljuegos, dado que, según la ley, este juego de suerte y azar debe pagar los respectivos derechos de explotación para operar de manera legal. Cada partida ilegal de póker representa recursos perdidos para el sistema de salud subsidiado”.
Under Law 643 of 2001, poker is considered a localised game because it can only operate on tables inside authorised casinos. Coljuegos stated that it is not recognised as a mental sport under the gambling monopoly framework, because chance and luck are involved in its development.
The regulator said legal operators currently contribute around $5.000 million annually to monopoly revenues from poker activity, with all funds directed to Colombia’s subsidised health system.
Hincapié explained: “En la actualidad, los operadores legales le aportan cerca de $5.000 millones anuales a las rentas del monopolio, recursos que, en su totalidad, van destinados para el régimen subsidiado. Es por ello que, como administradores del monopolio, no permitiremos que se desarrollen estas actividades sin que exista un contrato de concesión con Coljuegos”.
Since 2025, Coljuegos has carried out control operations against illegal poker tournaments following complaints from citizens and legal operators that offer the game in compliance with regulatory requirements.
The regulator is also challenging the administrative act that declared poker a mental sport. According to Hincapié, Coljuegos has filed an action before the administrative courts seeking annulment of that decision, arguing that the law clearly defines poker as a game of chance.
Hincapié stated: “En este momento, hemos demandado ante lo contencioso la nulidad del acto administrativo por medio del cual se declaró el póker como un deporte mental, toda vez que la ley es clara al determinar que se trata de un juego de suerte y azar”.
The Coljuegos president also raised concerns over poker-related activities involving minors. He said the regulator has held meetings with the ICBF and the Ministries of Education and Health, and has contacted education authorities in Cesar and Valledupar over reports of poker classes being offered in schools.
Hincapié added: “Hemos hecho reuniones con el ICBF y los ministerios de Educación y de Salud, y hemos oficiado a las secretarías de Educación de Cesar y Valledupar porque están dando clases de póker en los colegios. No vamos a permitir que, por una equivocada interpretación, se incentive que los niños, niñas y adolescentes entren al mundo de las apuestas”.
Coljuegos said the illegal poker tournaments were allegedly charging large sums for participant registration and awarding major prizes without authorisation. The regulator warned that such activities undermine legal operators, reduce public health revenues and expose consumers to unregulated betting environments.
Hincapié concluded: “Desde Coljuegos, seguiremos siendo implacables contra quienes quieren promover la ludopatía en niños, niñas y adolescentes, y contra quienes operar juegos de suerte y azar sin autorización de nuestra entidad y sin pagar los derechos de explotación. Reiteramos que nada está por encima de la ley, y no dejaremos de luchar contra quienes se enriquecen de forma ilegal”.
The Barranquilla operation reinforces Coljuegos’ wider enforcement strategy against illegal gambling in Colombia, particularly activities that operate without concession contracts and fail to contribute exploitation rights to the national health system.
