Land-based Gambling Boosts Healthcare Funding To $104.8m In Colombia

Licensed land-based casino and bingo operators have emerged as the highest contributors to Columbia’s healthcare sector, with funding increased to COP378.3bn ($104.8m) in 2025. According to figures published by regulator Coljuegos, monopoly revenue, bingo and casinos rose by 9.3% from the previous year. 

Land-based operators also accounted for 39% of the country’s gambling-related revenue, placing it ahead of other verticals in terms of direct public contribution. Following enforcement action against illegal gambling, player activity is higher on licensed operators, resulting in the increased contributions. 

Regulator links revenue growth to enforcement against illegal gambling

Coljuegos president Marco Emilio Hincapié expressed enthusiasm about this development. He described it as clear evidence that regulatory action is strengthening the legal gambling market.

“In 2024, land-based gambling contributed COP345.875bn, almost COP33bn less than last year,” Hincapié said. “This 9.3% increase in transfers to healthcare shows that the industry continues to perform strongly under the current administration.”

He added that the regulator’s restriction of illegal gambling facilitated revenue growth for licensed operators, directly translating into higher public funding to subsidise healthcare.

Thousands of illegal gambling devices seized nationwide

Around 109,000 licensed electronic slot machines are currently operating across Colombia under Coljuegos’ license. These machines are installed in over 3,700 authorised gambling establishments.

During 2025, Coljuegos carried out 95 enforcement operations across 15 departments, seizing 3,047 illegal gambling devices. Hincapié described the scale of the activity as unprecedented.

“This increase in revenue would not have been possible without our relentless strategy against illegal gambling. We hope that this year, with strategies like the Machines for Peace programme, local gambling operations will continue to increase their contributions to the healthcare of Colombians most in need,” he stated.

Online gambling tax change welcomed by industry

Beyond the land-based sector, Colombia also confirmed a significant change to online gambling taxation earlier this month. The government maintained its 19% value-added tax for licensed online operators, but the tax base will shift from player deposits to gross gaming revenue. This decision was welcomed by local industry stakeholders.

The Colombian Federation of Gambling Entrepreneurs called it a significant step forward, after previously warning that the VAT on deposits imposed in April had crashed online gambling GGR by 30%.

With the revised framework in place, regulators and operators expect a more stable online market, alongside sustained growth in land-based contributions to Colombia’s healthcare system.