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Coljuegos said that the regulator has blocked 46,228 websites that illegally offer gambling to customers since the start of the current government in 2022. The statistics were released in the regulator’s Official Bulletin No. 25.
The regulator explained that such a high number of orders was possible due to the strategy implemented by the regulator to secure the regulated market from unlicensed operators, which are still among the key problems in the industry.
Technological Means Help Enforcement Strategy
According to Coljuegos President Marcos Emilio Hincapié, the unprecedented number of blocking orders was the result of the enhanced enforcement strategy of the regulator and the application of the latest technologies.
“Never before has an administration fought illegal gambling so decisively. At Coljuegos, through our Artificial Intelligence Center, we have optimized the detection and blocking orders for unauthorized websites.”
As the regulator said, since the establishment of Coljuegos, a total of 55,658 orders have been issued; however, nearly 83%, or 46,228 orders, have been issued since 2022, proving the acceleration of enforcement operations.
Collaboration With Internet Providers
Also, Hincapié mentioned the collaboration between Coljuegos and Colombia’s Ministry of Information and Communication Technologies (MinTIC), which was supposed to streamline the process of blocking illegal gambling websites using internet service providers.
“We have been working with the Ministry of ICT to simplify the process with Internet Service Providers and effectively block any website that operates or promotes illegal betting.”
According to the regulator, the players should be aware of their responsibilities and should only use the services of operators that are authorized to provide online gambling services in Colombia. Currently, Coljuegos authorizes 15 operators: Wplay, Bwin, Zamba, Stake, Sportium, FullReto, Luckia, Ya Juego, William Hill, Rivalo, MegApuesta, Betsson, BetPlay, Codere, and RushBet.
Addressing consumers, Hincapié added: “By playing on legal platforms, you are not only protecting your personal data and your bets, but you are also contributing to healthcare services for Colombia’s most vulnerable citizens.”
Advertising Regulations Are Challenged Legally
Besides the enforcement strategy against unlicensed operators, the regulator is participating in an important legal battle over its advertisement regulations.
In June, the partial suspension of the regulator’s Advertising Resolution of 2023 became permanent when there were no appeals against the precautionary measures issued by Colombia’s Council of State. In the legal battle against Coljuegos, lawyers from Sora Law Firm claimed that some of the regulations created an unnecessary burden on licensed operators.
The court suspended the provisions that limited advertising and marketing expenditure, the requirement to submit an annual plan for advertisements to Coljuegos, and quarterly reports, several provisions of the administrative sanctions, and requirements for prior authorization for certain corporate actions.
Juan Camilo Carrasco, Managing Partner of Sora Lawyers, commented on the LinkedIn account of his company: “The partial suspension of Coljuegos’ Advertising Resolution has been confirmed. A great relief for the industry.”
The developments prove that, on one hand, Colombia is taking measures to combat unlicensed gambling operations, while, on the other hand, the country’s legal system reviews the regulations in relation to licensed operators.
Source: SBC Noticias
