Colombia's gambling regulator, Coljuegos, is assessing the impact of the August 10 earthquake on gambling operations in the country's southwest and considering temporary measures for operators affected by the disruption.
The earthquake damaged venues operating localized games and disrupted electricity, telecommunications and internet services, making it harder for operators to run games, submit required information and meet payment deadlines.
Coljuegos will evaluate temporary measures covering information transmission, reporting deadlines and the settlement and payment of exploitation rights and administration fees.
The assessment will consider the principles of efficiency, speed, economy, coordination and good faith established in the Colombian Constitution, alongside the legal framework governing Coljuegos and its authority to adjust regulatory obligations under exceptional circumstances.
The regulator also emphasized that any measures adopted would be temporary and would not amount to forgiving or waiving outstanding revenue. Instead, the objective would be to make a reasonable and proportional adjustment to operators' obligations in response to the exceptional circumstances.
Coljuegos also reaffirmed that gambling monopoly revenue will continue to be directed exclusively to health services.
Coljuegos will continue receiving reports and requests from affected operators and industry associations as it evaluates the impact of the earthquake. Any measures adopted will be formalized and announced through the regulator's official channels.
The National Council of Games of Chance and Gambling (CNJSA) postponed affected lottery draws following disruptions caused by the earthquake. and bets on permanent chance games linked to those draws until they are officially held.
Meanwhile, Coljuegos has issued new technical requirements for Baloto covering its gaming systems, sales terminals, communications infrastructure and draw equipment.
Coljuegos reported that it has seized 12,852 illegal gambling devices through 514 operations across 24 departments during the current administration
