Colombia’s 14 licensed online gaming operators transferred COP 13tr ($3.3bn) in VAT revenues to the national government in 2025, with funds allocated to address the humanitarian emergency in the Catatumbo region, which has been affected by an armed conflict causing mass displacement and severe social impacts.
The transfers represent average monthly VAT collections exceeding COP 1.23tr, with the final four months of the year generating the highest revenue levels. The contributions were made under an economic emergency decree enacted by the national government, which earmarked online gaming revenues for peace, development and humanitarian assistance initiatives in affected territories.
Marco Emilio Hincapié, president of Coljuegos, said: “Today, games operated over the internet continue to be one of the pillars of our industry. Through the economic emergency decree, this segment of the industry was among the sectors that contributed the most resources to bring peace and development to the territories.”
In addition to VAT contributions, online gaming operators transferred approximately COP 3.6tr in monopoly rent revenues to Colombia’s subsidized health system. These resources were allocated to medical care services and the acquisition of hospital equipment across regional territories.
Despite the additional tax burden introduced by the emergency measures, operators received regulatory concessions for 2026. Decree 1474 of 2026 establishes that the taxable base for online gaming will be calculated on gross gaming revenue (GGR), a modification requested by industry stakeholders to improve tax efficiency and optimize collection mechanisms.
Hincapié added: “The National Government has listened to the proposals of entrepreneurs to optimize collection. As a result, Decree 1474 of 2026 establishes gross gaming revenue as the taxable base, as requested by operators.”
The regulator confirmed it will continue enforcement actions against unlicensed operators while promoting legal and responsible online gaming throughout 2026.
The Catatumbo region is a conflict-affected area in northeastern Colombia, near the Venezuelan border, frequently prioritized by the government for emergency humanitarian and peace-building programs
