Coljuegos, the regulator of games of chance in Colombia, informed that localized games, which include casinos, bingos, and slot machines, transferred around COP 348,736 million, ($79,184 million) to the health system of the country in 2024.
The regulator remarked that this segment is “one of the pillars of the gaming industry in Colombia”, with more than 3,546 authorized localized gaming establishments, which include 111,184 slot machines and 17,345 bingo chairs.
It is estimated that, between January and November 2024, localized games reported an increase of 1.5% compared to the same period last year. According to the report, this was due to the increase in slot machines, bingo tables, and casinos authorized by Coljuegos.
Localized games represent 36% of the total generated by the gaming industry in 2024, with significant contributions coming from cities such as Bogota, Medellin, Cali, Barranquilla, and Bucaramanga, leading to the number of operating establishments.
These cities concentrate most of the supply, due to their high population density and the development of formal markets and, according to Coljuegos, this not only generates direct income for the health system but also “boosts the economy by formally employing thousands of people in the country.”
Marco Emilio Hincapié
The President of Coljuegos, Marco Emilio Hincapié, said that “the growth of localized games shows the importance of this sector for the economy and the health of Colombians,” and that “the resources generated not only benefit the health system but also reflect the consolidation of a regulated and trustworthy sector.”
“The increase in transfers is also due to our institutional modernization process and the implementation of the pre-registration system, through which we managed to reduce response times for localized gaming procedures by 38%. The more efficient we are, the more gaming elements we can authorize,” the official said.
Finally, Coljuegos stated that, in total, the gaming sector transferred more than COP 1 trillion to the health system in 2024. In addition, the regulator noted that the transfer increase is also due to the control operations carried out by Coljuegos, through which around 12,697 illegal gaming elements have been removed and destroyed.
“With these results, Coljuegos reaffirms its commitment to the regulation, supervision, and promotion of localized games as a key sector for the economic and social development of the country. The entity will continue working hand in hand with operators and local authorities to guarantee a safe, responsible, and transparent gaming environment,” the regulator concluded.
Original article: https://www.yogonet.com/international/news/2025/01/03/90604-colombia-casinos-and-bingos-transfer-over-79-million-to-the-health-system-in-2024
