Coljuegos has introduced a series of temporary relief measures to assist land-based operators and concessionaires impacted by the 6.1 magnitude earthquake on August 10. These initiatives aim to expedite the recovery of affected sales outlets, gaming terminals, and promotional activities while maintaining existing tax and fee obligations.
The relief provisions, detailed in Resolution No. 20260019544 published last week, are specifically targeted at land-based operators and businesses. They will address points of sale and equipment that suffered physical damage from the earthquake. Coljuegos made it clear that a reduction in revenue alone does not qualify an operator for these relief measures; eligibility will require strict verification and continuous oversight by the regulatory body.
To maintain operational continuity for land-based gaming, affected operators can request the express or automatic transfer of gaming equipment from damaged locations to other authorized sites. Those premises severely impacted can be temporarily classified as "zero premises" without losing their operational authorization. Additionally, Coljuegos has provided a four-month timeframe, which can be extended once, for operators to replace or restore the minimum required gaming equipment. The agency is also streamlining the approval processes for replacing damaged gaming equipment and facilitating the opening of new sites where the original ones were destroyed.
Land-based gambling remains a crucial component of Colombia's economy. Last year, casino and bingo operators contributed COP378.3 billion (around $104.8 million) to the nation's healthcare system.
Specific provisions have also been implemented for national lottery games. For operators of Baloto, there is now the option to exclude verified point and terminal unavailability from certain contractual performance indicators. They may also reschedule visits, tests, replacements, and deployment deadlines in areas affected by the earthquake, with consolidated post-event reporting potentially allowed.
Licensees of Super Astro can have documented terminal outages acknowledged for the specific affected period and are permitted to submit regularized data along with implementing adjusted schedules for repairs and reactivation. For KENO, modified deployment, testing, and acceptance timelines will be allowed, along with the temporary exclusion of impacted points.
Online gaming operators, in general, are expected to comply with existing schedules for transmission, reporting, and payments due to centrally managed systems. However, Coljuegos indicated that exceptional relief could be granted on a case-by-case basis if operators demonstrate a direct and significant inability to comply as a result of the earthquake.
To ensure the protection of consumer rights and business continuity, Coljuegos is prioritizing requests to adjust draw dates, locations, marketing periods, and operational mechanisms for raffles and promotional games.
Importantly, the regulator has clarified that these measures do not mean a waiver of fees or taxes. Recently, the outgoing Colombian president presented a new tax reform bill to Congress, which includes a permanent 19% VAT for online gambling operators. This VAT was introduced temporarily in February 2025 to address funding needs related to civil disturbances in the Catatumbo region. An attempt to make the tax permanent was rejected last December, and the government is making another effort in the current budget discussions.
