SPORTS BETTING Latin America regulatory update
Colombia is frequently cited as a commendable example of the advantages of a properly regulated industry, and for good reason. Te government has made significant progress in its initiatives to tackle illegal gambling, which is particularly important given the presence of numerous influential and organised crime groups in the country. Colombia was the first to regulate online gambling in Latin America having passed legislation in 2016 and online regulation has yielded millions for Colombia's health services. However, industry associations have warned that a number of new taxes are posing a threat to the industry. In February 2025 Colombia’s Minister of Finance, Diego
Guevara, announced that, based on the state of emergency decree due to the security crisis in Catatumbo, a 19 per cent VAT will be implemented on online gambling until December 31, 2025, with the aim of financing expenses related to the state of internal commotion. Te decree gives the president emergency powers to restore order in a region that has been impacted by an outbreak of deadly violence between rival
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armed groups. Te State of Internal Unrest ended in Colombia on April 24 but the increased taxes will remain in place until the end of the year. In April Evert Montero, president of the Colombian
Federation of Entrepreneurs in Chance and Gambling (Fecoljuegos), told local media outlet Portafolio that following the implementation of the VAT on online gambling the sector has experienced a 30 per cent decrease in gross gambling revenue, indicating a fall in deposits and a shift in user behaviour. In addition, more taxes look likely. In June the government received authorisation from the National Council for Fiscal Policy (CONFIS) to suspend the fiscal rule for three years, a move that will allow it to increase borrowing. Colombia’s government proposed a 557 trillion peso budget for 2026, an increase from the current year, as the country confronts deteriorating public finances and a wider fiscal deficit. As part of the new budget there are plans to increase taxes on gambling although what form these taxes will take has yet to be announced.
COLOMBIA
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