Coljuegos said national games contributed COP$4.6 trillion, while territorial games added COP$2.6 trillion
Colombia’s regulated gambling sector has transferred COP$7.2 trillion, approximately US$2.26 billion, to support subsidised health services. during the current national administration, according to figures reported by Coljuegos.
The total includes COP$4.6 trillion (US$1.44B) from national games administered by Coljuegos and COP$2.6 trillion (US$815 M) from territorial games, including chance, lotteries and Raspa&Listo.
Coljuegos said the resources help fund subsidised health services for around 6.1 million low-income Colombians.
The figures reinforce the fiscal role of gambling in Colombia’s public health model. The country’s regulated gaming framework is built around the principle that gambling revenues should generate funding for social and health programmes.
Marco Emilio Hincapié, President of Coljuegos
“We have the satisfaction of duty fulfilled. Never before in history has the games of chance sector been so profitable and so beneficial for the Colombian people. We can say that, during the government of Gustavo Petro, we reached 44.42% of the total historical health transfers made by our entity in almost 14 years of operation.”
Since 2012, national games have contributed COP$9.7 trillion to health. Of that amount, COP$4.6 trillion corresponds to the 2022–2026 period.
That means almost half of Coljuegos’ historical health transfers from national games have been made during the current four-year period.
Coljuegos also highlighted the additional COP$2.6 trillion transferred by territorial games over the same period.
Marco Emilio Hincapié, President of Coljuegos
“From the beginning of our administration, we worked to energise the sector and consolidate Coljuegos as an international reference in regulation and control of games of chance. These multimillion transfers are an example for Latin America of how to balance industry and social justice.”
Online gaming was one of the strongest growth areas in the period.
According to Hincapié, internet-operated games transferred around COP$1.76 trillion directly to health. The segment also generated close to COP$1.3 trillion in VAT earmarked for peace programmes in territories affected by the armed conflict.
Coljuegos said the online segment now has more than 10.8 million active identity documents registered and more than 1.9 million recurring players each month.
Those figures show the scale that regulated online gaming has reached in Colombia. They also explain why digital betting and online casino activity have become central to Coljuegos’ revenue and enforcement agenda.
Marco Emilio Hincapié, President of Coljuegos
“Without doubt, we achieved exponential growth in this segment. So much so that, currently, there are more than 10.8 million active identity documents and more than 1.9 million recurring players each month. These important contributions resulted in a positive impact on Gross Domestic Product.”
Land-based localised games also made a major contribution. Coljuegos said these games transferred around COP$1.63 trillion to the subsidised health regime.
Baloto, across all its mechanics, contributed around COP$291.728 billion.
SúperAstro transferred COP$618.449 billion to health, while raffles and promotional games contributed COP$29.434 billion.
Hincapié also pointed to the impact of Decree 1486 of 2024, which regulated raffles in Colombia.
Marco Emilio Hincapié, President of Coljuegos
“During our administration, we achieved the issuance of Decree 1486 of 2024, through which raffles were regulated in the country. This measure is already having a positive impact on revenue from this type of game, and fewer and fewer raffles are operating illegally.”
Among territorial games, chance transferred COP$1.33 trillion, lotteries contributed COP$1.05 trillion and Raspa&Listo reached COP$177.163 billion.
These figures are important because territorial games remain deeply connected to Colombia’s regional retail gaming structure. They also continue to generate direct funding for health services across the departments.
Hincapié said the results were supported by regulatory measures adopted through the Consejo Nacional de Juegos de Suerte y Azar.
Marco Emilio Hincapié, President of Coljuegos
“This is due to our regulatory efforts such as the fifth digit of chance, capitalisation, the authorisation of extraordinary draws, among other measures adopted through the Consejo Nacional de Juegos de Suerte y Azar.”
He also said future transfers should continue to rise as new and reactivated products come into operation.
Marco Emilio Hincapié, President of Coljuegos
“The market trend is upward. Thanks to actions such as the reactivation of Virtual Sports Race Betting and the entry into operation of Keno, health transfers will continue to increase in the coming years.”
The overall results show a broader change in Colombia’s gambling market. Online gaming has become a high-volume contributor, while traditional territorial products such as chance and lotteries remain essential for regional health funding.
For operators, the figures underline the importance of compliance and formalisation. Coljuegos is presenting the regulated market not only as a commercial sector, but also as a public revenue mechanism tied directly to health and social investment.
For policymakers, the challenge is to keep that balance in place. Growth in gambling revenues can support public services, but it also requires stronger controls, responsible gaming policies and continued action against illegal operators.
Coljuegos said the current administration has delivered both for sector businesses and for millions of Colombians who accessed health services and benefited from hospital infrastructure and equipment projects across the country’s 1,103 municipalities.
The numbers give Colombia a strong regional argument. A regulated gambling market can generate large public transfers when licensing, taxation, online growth and enforcement are aligned.
The next stage will depend on whether Coljuegos can sustain that growth while managing illegal gambling, expanding regulated products and protecting consumers in a market that continues to digitalise.
