The regulator is assessing reporting, data transmission and exploitation rights deadlines for operators impacted by the emergency
Coljuegos has activated institutional monitoring of the emergency caused by the 10 August earthquake, as it evaluates the operational impact on games of chance in affected areas of southwestern Colombia.
The regulator said the situation may affect operators across land-based localised games, novel games and internet-operated gaming, particularly where the emergency has disrupted power, telecommunications and internet services.
Coljuegos identified material damage at venues where localised games operate, as well as interruptions to infrastructure needed for real-time online operation and regulatory reporting.
Those conditions may affect the timely fulfilment of obligations linked to information transmission, settlement and payment of exploitation rights and administration expenses.
In response, Coljuegos said it will prioritise the assessment of possible temporary measures for affected operators.
The review will focus on information transmission, reporting deadlines, settlement processes and payment of exploitation rights and administration expenses.
The regulator said the analysis is being conducted under the principles of effectiveness, speed, economy, coordination and good faith established in Article 209 of Colombia’s Political Constitution.
It also cited the powers defined by Decrees 4142 of 2011 and 1451 of 2015, as well as Law 643 of 2001, which governs Colombia’s games of chance monopoly framework.
Coljuegos stressed that any measures adopted will be strictly temporary.
The regulator also clarified that they will not imply forgiveness, cancellation or waiver of collection.
The objective is to establish a reasonable and proportionate adjustment of obligations in response to the exceptional circumstances created by the emergency.
That distinction is relevant for operators and public authorities. Coljuegos is not suspending the sector’s fiscal purpose. It is reviewing how compliance obligations may be managed where force majeure conditions have affected technical and operational capacity.
The entity also emphasised that the exclusive allocation of revenues from the state monopoly to health services will be guaranteed, in line with Article 336 of the Constitution.
This keeps the health funding function of the regulated gaming sector at the centre of the institutional response.
Any measures adopted will be formalised through the corresponding administrative acts and communicated through official Coljuegos channels.
The regulator will also keep its institutional service channels open to receive reports, updates, questions and requests from affected operators.
Information submitted by sector associations will be incorporated into the analysis currently being carried out.
For operators in affected zones, the immediate priority is to document operational impact, including venue damage, loss of connectivity, power interruptions and any inability to transmit or report information within normal timeframes.
For Coljuegos, the challenge is to balance regulatory continuity with emergency conditions on the ground.
The regulator must preserve the collection and allocation of gaming revenues to health, while recognising that some operators may face temporary barriers to fulfilling technical, reporting and payment obligations.
The approach also reflects the need for a coordinated sector response.
Gaming operations depend on physical venues, certified systems, online transmission and stable communications. When those elements are disrupted by a natural emergency, administrative flexibility may be needed without weakening the legal and fiscal structure of the monopoly.
Coljuegos reiterated its commitment to the sustainability of the sector, the protection of health-directed revenues and solidarity with communities affected by the emergency.
The next step will be the publication of any formal administrative measures, if the regulator determines that temporary adjustments are necessary.
