Are There Casinos In Colombia?

Colombia
credit: Peter Parker

Colombia has a plethora of fun things to do and see for the avid traveler. Its rich and diverse culture boasts tasty cuisine, while its natural beauty is enough to inspire a story! Some enjoy the thrill of gambling and chance, too! What about Colombia? Does Colombia have casinos?

There are more than 20 casinos in Colombia. Most of them are in Bogotá and the rest in other cities like Medellín and Cartagena. They host various games, such as poker, blackjack, horse racing, slots, online poker, and more. Sports betting, especially football, is the most popular kind of gambling.

Does Colombia Have Casinos?

There are more than 20 officially recognized casinos in Colombia, many being illegal establishments. Most of the country’s casinos are in Bogotá, the capital city of Colombia.

Colombia’s legal gambling age is 18, and it’s the responsibility of the casino or gambling establishment to ensure all their guests meet the criteria. Authorities like Colijuegos regulate the gambling industry in Colombia, working alongside law enforcement to ensure fairness and prevent illegal activity.

With their influence, gambling operators must return a minimum of 83% of their profits to customers. These figures reached COP1.8 trillion ($456 million USD) in 2018.

Gambling has a lot of cultural significance for the people of Colombia because it relates closely to their love for football. Football enthusiasts feel more connected with their favorite players or teams and more involved in a game when they have something to lose. 

More than half of the Colombian population play casino games or do sports betting since online gambling is easily accessible to everyone. This number will likely climb higher in 2025 when an estimated 82% of the population will own a mobile device.

According to Statista, Colombia’s online gambling revenue has an expected annual growth rate of 13.11%. Many Colombians also enjoy spending time at land-based casinos and betting shops. The most popular games are blackjack, slots, bingo, roulette, and poker.

Which Casinos Are Popular In Colombia?

Colombia has many fantastic casinos where tourists can play their fill. Here are some of the best ones spread across various locations.

Sun Nao Casino

Located inside Cartagena’s Nao Shopping Center, it is one of the more modern casinos in the surrounding area. It boasts around 20 table games, 300 slot machines, a bingo hall, a poker room, and the customer-favorite sports betting area.  

Tourists who work up an appetite can make a stop at the restaurant or bar, which is open seven days a week.

Casino Luckia Bogotá

The casino is inside the Sonesta Hotel in Bogotá. It’s a surprisingly small and cozy casino that offers 160 slot machines and 10 table games. Membership is free, and there are plenty of daily draw prizes and other amenities like valet parking and a buffet service.

Gran Casino Medellín

Gran Casino Medellín is close to the Oviedo Shopping Center. It’s a sizeable casino with an elegant design and various games, like poker, baccarat, and roulette. They also offer thrilling entertainment in the form of live music events and a vibing restaurant and bar atmosphere.

Crown Casino

Crown Casino has several establishments scattered across Bogotá, like Unicentro, Palatino, and Zona T, each offering different games to enjoy. There are sports betting facilities, table games, poker, slots, and a neat little restaurant and bar for those needing to top off their tank!

They are one of the most modern casino venues around, offering only the best in customer service and security.

Is Gambling Legal In Colombia?

Gambling is legal in Colombia under The General Gambling Act of 2001 and The eGaming Act of 2016. Tourists who enjoy the thrill of betting can indulge in many kinds of gambling activities nationwide. Some of these include:

  • Sports betting
  • Land-based casinos
  • Bingo halls
  • Live poker events
  • Raffles
  • Online poker
  • Horse racing
  • Dog racing
  • Lotteries

Here’s an in-depth look at the laws that regulate gambling in Colombia:

  • The General Gambling Act (Law 643a) – The Colombian government instated the law in 2001, making gambling legal throughout Colombia. It created the framework for regulating betting on horses, dogs, bingo, lotteries, and all the others. It also gave birth to the National Gaming Board, which operates today as Coljuegos.
  • The eGaming Act (Decree 4142) – This law pertains to online gambling, which passed in 2016 and marked Colombia as the first country to legalize online gambling in South America.

 Coljuegos issue online gambling licenses and require land-based and online operators to pay a 15% tax on their gross revenue, plus 1% to the regulatory body.

  • The Pacts for Legality (Decree 4144) – Introduced in 2022, this law directly responds to rampant illegal gambling activity. Law enforcement, regional leaders, the army, and Coljuegos collaborate to reinforce the benefits of playing legally and responsibly.

As a result, gambling companies can legally operate in Colombia, but only if they obtain a license. This requirement stems from the fact that Colombia also has many illegally operating gambling establishments.

Why Do Illegal Casinos Exist In Colombia?

One of the Colombian government’s goals regarding the gambling industry is to use the proceeds to improve the social standing of its citizens. For this reason, any establishment operating without a gambling license is essentially stealing from the government. However, there are multiple other reasons for illegal casinos.

  • Lack of enforcement – Law enforcement may be less prominent in some areas, and illegal gambling operators take advantage of it. Authorities become corrupt, and illicit establishments become more slippery. Some choose to use intimidation tactics to dissuade competitors or whistleblowers from bringing their activities to light.
  • Lack of regulation – Some illegal gambling operators want to entice their customers with services or goods that authorities would deem harmful. For instance, they might provide a means to gamble online without a license or use uncalibrated slot machines.
  • Lack of incentives – Not all gambling operators want to operate within the boundaries of the law. They would rather avoid paying taxes and aim for cheaper operating costs while setting their own profit margins.
  • Lack of awareness – In some cases, operators are unaware that they need a license, or they don’t know about the benefits of playing legally. It’s also possible that they lack the understanding to differentiate between a legal and illegal gambling establishment.
  • Lack of alternatives – Customers who want more variety in payouts and bets may prefer illegal establishments despite the consequences. 

Does Colombia’s Casinos Positively Affect Its Economy?

Casinos usually have a negative rep for harming others, but there is some good in there, too. There are several ways it can contribute to the well-being of the Colombian economy.

  • Generating tax revenues – Casinos wrapped up over $175 million for the Colombian government in 2022, an 18% increase from the previous year. The government injects these proceeds back into things like social facilities, healthcare, and infrastructure.
  • Job creation – The casino industry requires thousands of employees to maintain a high level of safety, security, and authenticity. These include engineers, customer service representatives, and IT technicians. As such, the industry has a positive effect on job creation. In fact, it created over roughly 100,000 jobs in 2020.

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