Santa Marta businessman Jaime Vives Pinedo has been named president of Coljuegos, marking his move from the private sector into national public administration.
Vives Pinedo has held roles across various business circles in Magdalena, with ties to Grupo Biocosta and the Santa Marta Chamber of Commerce for Magdalena.
As President of Coljuegos, he will be responsible for regulating and overseeing gambling activities in Colombia, as well as ensuring proper management of the resources the industry generates, a key funding source for the country's health system.
Among the entity's main challenges are strengthening the fight against illegal gambling, advancing control over unauthorized activities, and protecting collection of the exploitation rights operators are required to pay.
Vives Pinedo will also be tasked with maintaining oversight across both in-person and digital gambling formats, while ensuring the resources generated reach the purposes established by law. His appointment marks another businessman from Magdalena taking on a strategic role within the National Government, now leading an entity with nationwide reach.
Recently, Coljuegos reported a record enforcement balance for its efforts against illegal gambling during the current administration, seizing 12,852 illegal gambling devices across 24 of Colombia's departments through 514 enforcement actions carried out alongside the National Police, the Attorney General's Office and territorial authorities.
Colombia's regulated gambling industry has also transferred COP7.2trn ($2.26bn) to the country's subsidized healthcare system during President Gustavo Petro's four-year administration, according to Coljuegos.
Coljuegos has opened a consultation on the creation of a Preliminary Unique Identification Number for electronic slot machines entering the country
