Funding from land-based gambling to the healthcare sector was 9.3% more than in the previous year.
Licensed land-based casino and bingo operators in Colombia increased the amount sent to the country’s healthcare system to COP378.3 billion ($104.8 million) during 2025, with physical gambling the highest contributor to the sector.
The figure for monopoly revenue, bingo and casinos was 9.3% higher than the previous year. It also represented 39% of total revenue collected in the gambling industry, Colombia regulator Coljuegos said.
Coljuegos President Marco Emilio Hincapié welcomed the increase. He said it was evidence that the regulator’s crackdown on illegal gambling was working, with licensed operators generating higher revenue and diverting a higher portion of this to subsidised healthcare.
“In 2024, land-based gambling contributed $345.875 billion, almost $33 billion less than last year. This 9.3% increase in transfers to healthcare demonstrates that the industry continues to experience an excellent period under the current administration,” said Hincapié.
Over 3,000 illegal gambling devices seized
At present, approximately 109,000 legal electronic slot machines are operated under licence in the country. These devices, Coljuegos said, are active across more than 3,700 authorised establishments.
During 2025, Coljuegos seized 3,047 illegal gambling devices in 95 enforcement operations carried out across 15 departments. This, Hincapié claimed, was at a level “never seen before” at the regulator.
“This increase in revenue would not have been possible without our relentless strategy against illegal gambling.” Hincapié stated. “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.”
Online gambling VAT shifts to GGR
Away from the land-based sector, changes were confirmed earlier in January over taxation within the online gambling market in Colombia.
The government said licensed operators will continue to face a 19% value-added tax, but this will be moved to gross gaming revenue as opposed to deposits. Local industry stakeholders welcomed the decision.
The Colombian Federation of Gambling Entrepreneurs described it as a “significant step forward”. This came after the same organisation warned last April VAT on deposits had pushed online gambling GGR down 30%.
Robert Fletcher
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