Land-based gambling operators in Colombia increased their contributions to the country’s subsidized healthcare system by 9.3% in 2025, according to figures released by regulator Coljuegos.
Bingo halls and casinos transferred an estimated COP 378.268bn to the health system during the year, making land-based gaming the largest contributing segment within the national gambling industry. The amount represented approximately 39% of total gambling-related revenues collected in 2025.
Coljuegos president Marco Emilio Hincapié attributed the year-on-year increase primarily to intensified efforts to combat illegal gambling and strengthen regulatory oversight.
In 2024, land-based gaming generated COP 345.875bn ($96.21m) for healthcare, almost COP 33bn less than the figure recorded in 2025.
Hincapié said the results demonstrate sustained performance from the sector under the current regulatory framework. He also pointed to Virtual Sports Betting (ACDV) as a mechanism expected to enhance the appeal of land-based venues by modernising product offerings and attracting new customers.
According to Coljuegos data, Colombia currently has around 109,000 legally authorised electronic gaming machines operating across more than 3,700 approved establishments nationwide.
The regulator has positioned legalisation and supervision of these venues as a central pillar in maintaining stable contributions to public funding.
Enforcement activity was also highlighted as a key factor behind the revenue growth. Coljuegos reported that during 2025 it seized 3,047 illegal gambling devices through 95 enforcement operations carried out across 15 departments. The regulator described the scale of these actions as unprecedented in its history.
Hincapié said the removal of illegal devices from the market had a direct impact on channeling player activity toward licensed operators, thereby increasing funds allocated to healthcare.
He added that initiatives such as the Machines for Peace programme are expected to further support land-based operators and maintain growth in contributions during 2026, particularly in support of vulnerable communities.
In January 2026, Coljuegos confirmed that Colombia’s licensed online gaming operators transferred COP 13tr in VAT revenues during 2025.
The funds were allocated to peace, development, and humanitarian programmes, including support for conflict-affected regions such as Catatumbo.
Colombia’s gambling framework requires monopoly rent revenues from both land-based and online gaming to be directed toward the subsidized healthcare system, making gambling one of its largest dedicated funding sources
