The Colombian regulator says 83% of all historical blocking requests have been issued since 2022
Colombia’s regulated online betting market is being shaped not only by licensed operator growth, but also by increasingly aggressive enforcement against illegal platforms. Coljuegos has reported that, since the start of the Government of Change in 2022, it has issued 46,228 blocking orders against websites operating unauthorised betting activity.
According to the regulator, the figure forms part of a wider effort to protect Colombia’s legal gambling market, safeguard players and defend the public revenues generated by authorised operators. Across the full history of the entity, Coljuegos says it has issued 55,658 blocking requests, meaning 83% of all such actions correspond to the current administration.
Marco Emilio Hincapié, President of Coljuegos, said:
“Never before has an administration fought illegal gambling with such force. From Coljuegos, and through our Artificial Intelligence Centre, we have optimised the detection and blocking-order process for unauthorised portals.”
Hincapié said the regulator has also been working with the Ministry of Information and Communications Technologies (MinTIC) to simplify the process with internet service providers and block any website that operates or promotes betting illegally. That coordination follows the development of specific blocking procedures for unauthorised online gambling pages, with MinTIC establishing guidelines for internet providers to execute official blocking actions.
The acceleration is significant. In May 2025, Coljuegos reported around 26,600 blocking orders against unauthorised betting sites, following the implementation of simplified procedures under Circular 017 of 2025. The latest figure of 46,228 shows how quickly enforcement has expanded in little more than a year.
Marco Emilio Hincapié added:
“While past administrations only issued around 9,000 blocking requests, we multiplied that figure by five, and in only four years. Illegal operators have never had it so hard.”
The regulator’s enforcement strategy is also linked to its use of technology. Coljuegos says its Artificial Intelligence Centre has improved the detection of unauthorised betting portals, supporting faster identification and referral for blocking. This technology-led approach is increasingly important in a market where illegal sites can change domains, mirror content and use digital marketing to target Colombian players.
Hincapié also reiterated the importance of players using only operators authorised by Coljuegos. In May 2026, the regulator authorised MrYoker, bringing the number of licensed online operators in Colombia to 15. The portal, operated by Global Vitxo S.A.S. under concession contract C2261 of 2026, was authorised to offer live casino, virtual slot machines and sports betting until 2031.
Marco Emilio Hincapié concluded:
“By playing on legal portals, players are not only guaranteeing the protection of their data and their bets, but also contributing to the health of the least favoured Colombians.”
The health-funding message remains central to Colombia’s gambling model. Legal operators contribute monopoly revenues and administrative fees that help finance the subsidised health system, while illegal operators avoid those obligations and expose consumers to greater risks around data, payments, dispute resolution and responsible gambling protections.
For Colombia’s licensed operators, the blocking campaign strengthens the value of formal authorisation by reducing unfair competition from illegal platforms. For players, the regulator’s message is straightforward: legal betting sites must be verified through Coljuegos, while unauthorised sites may put users’ funds and personal information at risk. The regulator maintains an official page listing authorised online gaming operators for Colombian residents.
The broader takeaway is that Colombia is continuing to present itself as one of Latin America’s most active enforcement markets for online betting. The combination of artificial intelligence monitoring, MinTIC coordination, direct blocking procedures and a growing list of authorised operators shows a regulator focused on defending the legal channel, protecting public revenues and limiting the reach of unauthorised betting networks.
