Coljuegos, Colombia’s gambling authority, has officially granted a concession for the operation of Keno, bringing one of the first blockchain-supported lottery-style games in Latin America to the forefront. The government expects that this new offering will generate more than COP 485 billion ($125 million) in public healthcare contributions over the next five years while bolstering the nation’s gambling sector.
The Government Expects Significant Revenues
Keno, a popular draw-based game gaining popularity across international markets, will be available across all 32 Colombian departments. According to market studies cited by Coljuegos, total sales could exceed COP 2.3 trillion ($587 million) within the next five years. The game’s blockchain-based ticketing system will provide enhanced transparency, improve traceability, and limit the chances of fraud.
When playing Keno, users can select 10 numbers from 1 to 80, matching them against 20 randomly drawn balls generated by an independent Random Number Generator. Winnings depend on how many numbers a player matches, with variable payouts depending on the initial wager. Each stake will cost between COP 1,000 ($0.26) and COP 20,000 ($5.10), with a maximum initial prize of COP 1.68 billion ($428,500).
To attract more players, there will be draws every day, at intervals of 6 to 10 minutes, resulting in 144 to 240 daily rounds. Results will be made public through digital channels like YouTube and official game websites. People will have the option to play via physical terminals or online through authorized digital channels. Coljuegos expects to establish more than 16,000 sales points nationwide.
Gambling Remains a Significant Economic Driver
Coljuegos president Marco Emilio Hincapié stated that the concession followed an open and competitive bidding process involving multiple bidders. He emphasized that the new product represented a significant step for Colombia’s gaming sector as it focuses on innovation and modernization. This offering should also help channel more users toward regulated offerings and away from black market operations.
The gaming concession was awarded through an open process so all interested operators could participate.
Marco Emilio Hincapié, Coljuegos president
Operators offering Keno will receive a four-month pre-launch period to prepare infrastructure and ensure compliance with security and technical standards. This new offering is set to launch in January 2026. Its addition underscores Coljuegos’ efforts to maintain strict oversight while allowing flexibility and innovation within Colombia’s gambling sector.
We seek to expand the offerings for gamblers and consolidate the gaming sector as a fundamental pillar of the national economy.
Marco Emilio Hincapié, Coljuegos president
The introduction of Keno coincides with a period of rising regulatory scrutiny for Colombia’s online betting landscape. Coljuegos recently ordered internet service providers to disable access to the prediction market platform Polymarket, alleging that the company offered unauthorized political betting and cryptocurrency-based wagering. The authority was adamant that any form of betting must receive regulatory approval.
Deyan Dimitrov
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