Coljuegos signs cooperation agreement with Spain’s national police

Colombia’s regulator Coljuegos has signed a cooperation agreement with Spain’s National Police aimed at strengthening joint efforts to combat illegal gambling and fraudulent betting activities across borders. 

Under the alliance, Coljuegos and Spanish law enforcement will exchange information, technical expertise and best practices related to the detection, investigation and prosecution of illegal gambling networks. The framework includes cooperation on intelligence sharing, digital monitoring tools and coordinated actions against platforms that operate without authorization or target consumers in regulated jurisdictions.

The agreement reflects growing concern among regulators about the transnational nature of illegal betting operations, which often rely on offshore structures, digital payment channels and cross-border marketing to evade local oversight. 

Colombian authorities have increasingly emphasized the need for international partnerships to address these challenges, particularly as online betting expands across Latin America.

Spain’s National Police brings experience in dismantling organized crime networks linked to illegal gambling and financial fraud, including cases involving money laundering and unlicensed online betting platforms. Through the partnership, Colombian authorities aim to enhance their investigative capacity and improve response times when identifying illegal operators that affect the domestic market.

Marco Emilio Hincapié, President, Coljuegos, said: “This procedure strengthens our ability to tackle illegal gambling beyond national borders. Organized crime does not operate in isolation, which is why international cooperation is essential to protect legality, transparency and public trust.”

Coljuegos has positioned the agreement as part of a broader strategy to safeguard Colombia’s regulated gaming sector and ensure that licensed operators compete on a level playing field. The regulator has stepped up enforcement actions in recent years, including the blocking of unauthorized websites and collaboration with financial institutions to disrupt illegal payment flows.

The cooperation also highlights a trend toward closer ties between Latin American regulators and European enforcement agencies, as both regions face similar challenges related to digital gambling, fraud and consumer protection. For licensed operators, the agreement signals increased scrutiny of unregulated competition and a regulatory environment that is placing greater emphasis on international enforcement mechanisms.

As Colombia continues to expand its regulated online gambling framework, authorities view cross border cooperation as a key tool to reinforce market integrity and deter illegal betting activity that undermines public confidence and regulatory objectives.