Coljuegos has expanded its regional enforcement program in Colombia, holding six working sessions during 2026 as the regulator seeks to strengthen coordination with local authorities against unauthorized gambling.
The sessions have involved authorities and industry stakeholders in Chocó, Nariño, Risaralda, Huila and Meta, alongside a national meeting.
They form part of Coljuegos' 2026 Institutional Presence Plan and cover the country's gambling framework, administrative inspection procedures and potential criminal or institutional action against illegal operations.
The initiative follows a broader increase in enforcement activity across both land-based and online gambling.
In August, Coljuegos reported that 12,852 illegal gambling devices had been seized across 24 departments through 514 operations conducted with the National Police, the Attorney General's Office and territorial authorities.
A further 15,644 unauthorized devices had been destroyed.
Online enforcement has also accelerated. Coljuegos said its cumulative number of blocking orders against websites operating or promoting unauthorized gambling reached 58,916 by August, up from 46,228 reported at the beginning of July.
Colombia operates a licensed online gambling market in which operators require authorization and a concession contract from Coljuegos. The regulator added Global Vitxo-owned MrYoker to the market in May, bringing the number of authorized online operators to 15. Its concession permits sports betting, online slots and live casino games through 2031.
The enforcement environment has also extended beyond operators themselves. Rules introduced for 2026 state that payment providers, technology platforms, software developers, content suppliers, media organizations and other third parties must refrain from providing services to unauthorized online gambling operators.
The territorial training program therefore adds a regional component to enforcement measures that already include physical seizures, website blocking and investigations into unauthorized gambling activity.
Coljuegos said the sessions are intended to give local authorities tools to apply existing inspection and enforcement procedures.
In August, Jaime Vives Pinedo was named President of Coljuegos, taking responsibility for the regulator as illegal gambling enforcement and protection of gambling-derived healthcare funding remain among its central priorities.
Coljuegos estimates that illegal gambling activity covered by its enforcement campaign prevented more than COP400bn ($100m) from reaching Colombia's healthcare system
