for early access to the latest igaming videos!
and get the latest igaming news first!
The organization in charge of overseeing games of chance in Colombia, Coljuegos, is still engaging in sharp legal gambling activities. Working together with the National Police, it recently conducted a series of department of Nariño operations which allowed it to break down two hidden telebingo halls in Ipiales and Túqueres municipalities.
Annually, these games, which ran without permission, produced illicit revenue of around COP 2,592 million (some USD 630,000) absent the payment of the relevant exploitation rights.
An Unprecedented Action in the Fight Against Illegal Gambling
Coljuegos‘ president Marco Emilio Hincapié emphasized that this operation marks a turning point in combating illegal gambling in the southwest of the nation. We delivered, for the first time ever, a resounding blow to this sort of game going in the southwest of the country Hincapié said, “For the first time in history, we dealt a decisive blow to this type of game that operates in the southwest of the country. We were able to find that those who operated the game carried out the draws through social networks, and even through local television channels.”
Coljuegos‘ inquiry found that every one of these telebingos gathered daily between COP 3 million and COP 6 million. Throughout the raids, the officials confiscated many goods employed to do the draws: ballot boxes and ballots, ballots, checkbooks, and ballot boxes used to broadcast the illegal games.
Other activities of the Nariño ministry
Coljuegos additionally performed work in Pasto and La Unión, where 58 items of underground betting were taken down in conjunction with the intervention in Ipiales and Túquerres. These included internet betting systems, roulette wheels, slot machines, and 24-table games. These activities underline the dedication of the regulatory agency in the battle against unauthorized gambling and in the safeguarding of funds meant for public health.
Financial Impact of Clandestine Gambling
Evading the payment of exploitation rights, illegal gambling in Colombia is a serious menace to the economy of the country since it stops the flow of resources into vital sectors including health. Recent operations in the departments of Tolima, Córdoba, and Guajira yielded 64 illegal gambling items confiscated, Coljuegos reports; this would have stopped the yearly transfer of over COP 7.2 billion for Colombian healthcare.
Hincapié repeated that Coljuegos‘ endeavors to eliminate illegal betting in the country are consistent and not restricted to particular areas. “Illegal operators are having a hard time. Our fight against those who operate games of chance and luck without authorization has no geographical limits. We are reaching out to all corners of our country to punish those who commit this crime, and to protect the health resources of Colombians.”
Measures and Aanctions Against Illegal Gambling
In efforts to tackle illegal betting, Coljuegos has improved control activity and cooperation with national and local governments. Furthermore, so that people avoid illegal gaming and document any questionable behavior, the organization has started awareness drives.
Those found running gambling without permission may face harsh penalties such as forfeiture of equipment and fines. By always checking that betting institutions and platforms have the right permission to operate, Coljuegos assures safe and clear betting.
Commitment to Legal and Responsible Gaming
Stopping illegal gambling not only helps to prevent tax evasion and undue profiteering but also safeguards consumers against possible fraud and guarantees that revenues from the gambling industry are directed to critical industries, including health.
Coljuegos reasserts its dedication to regulating and overseeing the gambling business in Colombia in this respect. The organization aims to guarantee that all betting and gaming in the country conform to the legal framework with ever more effective operations and close collaboration with the government, therefore supporting the social and financial well-being of the country.
Source: YogoNet
