Coljuegos, the Colombian gambling regulator, has introduced a series of temporary relief measures aimed at supporting land-based gambling operators affected by the recent magnitude 6.1 earthquake. Announced on August 10, these measures have been implemented to facilitate the recovery of physical gaming venues and equipment without altering existing tax or fee obligations. The relief measures, detailed in Resolution No. 20260019544, are specifically targeted at operators and establishments that have suffered physical damage due to the natural disaster.
The primary focus of the initiative is to maintain operational continuity for land-based gambling activities in Colombia. Affected operators will be able to expedite transfers of their gaming equipment from damaged premises to authorized locations. Additionally, premises severely affected by the earthquake may be designated as “zero premises,” allowing operators to retain their operational licenses even while temporarily out of service. Operators will also have a four-month period, which can be extended once, to replace or reinstate the required gaming equipment. This process is supported by a simplified approval system for replacement equipment.
Land-based gambling remains a substantial contributor to Colombia’s economy, with casino and bingo operators having provided approximately COP378.3 billion ($104.8 million) to the country’s healthcare system last year. The relief measures are designed to ensure that this economic contribution continues despite the disruptions caused by the earthquake.
For the national lottery games in Colombia, specific arrangements have been put in place to assist in their recovery. For instance, operators of the Baloto lottery may temporarily exclude certain unavailable points and terminals from contractual performance metrics and adjust schedules for site visits and testing in the affected areas. Similarly, Super Astro licensees can report terminal outages for the impacted period and adjust their schedules for repairs and reactivation. KENO operators are also allowed to modify deployment and testing timelines.
Online gambling remains largely unaffected by the new relief measures, with most operators expected to adhere to the existing schedules for reporting, settlement, and payment. However, Coljuegos has indicated that exceptions may be granted on a case-by-case basis if operators demonstrate that earthquake-related disruptions have materially impacted their operations. This is part of an effort to balance consumer rights with business continuity, especially in the scheduling and promotion of raffles and other games.
It’s important to note that these relief measures do not include waiving tax or fee obligations. The current Colombian administration has been working on a broader tax reform that includes making a temporary 19% VAT on online gambling operators permanent. Initially introduced in February 2025 as an emergency measure, this VAT was aimed at generating additional revenue to address civil disturbances in the Catatumbo region. Although an earlier attempt to make this tax permanent was rejected, the government continues to advocate for its implementation in the latest budget proposal.
As the Colombian gambling industry navigates these temporary adjustments, the central focus for operators will be on compliance with the new measures and the potential impact of ongoing tax reform discussions. The regulator will continue to monitor the situation, ensuring that affected operators can resume normal operations as swiftly as possible, thereby stabilizing the market in the aftermath of the earthquake. Future regulatory reviews and market responses will likely shape the recovery landscape moving forward.
Topics: Colombia · Land-Based Casinos · Gambling Taxes · Financial Results · Gambling Regulation · Online Casino
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