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In a serious bid to reinforce integrity in its games-of-chance industry, Colombia has taken the resolute step of officially creating a Judicial Police Unit under the portfolio of the national regulator Coljuegos. The new structure was formalized by means of Resolution No. 20250022644, dated October 6, 2025, and will significantly enhance efforts toward combating illegal gambling operations and protecting public resources earmarked for the country’s healthcare system.
This initiative endows Coljuegos with special judicial police capabilities, thereby enabling direct criminal investigations, coordinated by the Office of the Attorney General. It seeks to guarantee greater control and more resolute intervention in illegal activities by preserving evidence, maintaining materials important for investigations, and collaborating with judicial procedures.
Marco Emilio Hincapié, the president of Coljuegos, underlined the significance of such development by explaining that the new Unit symbolizes an unprecedented expansion of the entity’s operating capacity in conducting supervision of all gaming modalities across the country. He underlined its contribution to combating tax evasion, fraud, and clandestine operations that undermine the legal gaming ecosystem.
Improved Investigative Powers and Capacity for Immediate Response
The Judicial Police Unit was created with the aim of granting Coljuegos a series of specialized tools that had hitherto been dependent upon external agencies, including evidence collection, technical inspections, digital forensic analysis, interviews, and any other investigative procedure that is considered necessary for effective enforcement.
The regulator, with trained personnel and standardized protocols for response, is now competent to respond swiftly to alerts and reports on irregularities. This shift to rapid on-the-ground action makes sure that any suspected illegal operation would be addressed well before any situation might get worse or public funds are compromised.
The Unit is attached to the Vice Presidency of Operations, manned by highly qualified professionals specializing in illegal operations control, fiscal oversight, legal advisory, and technical analysis. The multidisciplinary approach thus ensures a comprehensive oversight and fortifies the enforcement capability of the institution.
In addition, the Unit will work in close interaction with other public bodies, especially the Office of the Attorney General, enabling coordinated operations that protect the country’s exclusive rights regarding games of chance. Under this monopoly model, revenues generated by legal gaming directly fund the subsidized healthcare system, making enforcement a regulatory priority and a public health imperative.
Commitment to Legality, Transparency, and Technical Excellence
Among the guiding principles, the resolution that established the Judicial Police Unit enunciates the following: human dignity, legality, impartiality, efficiency, specialized technical investigation, and timeliness. These values will underpin all the actions of the Unit and seek to enhance public trust in the regulatory framework.
It means, according to Hincapié, that the mission is clear: greater control, more transparency, and zero tolerance for illegal gaming. He reaffirmed that the Unit would enhance territorial presence, professional evidence handling, and decisive action against those who seek to weaken the legal framework of games of chance.
By institutionalizing this initiative, Coljuegos reaffirms its leadership in the sector and its commitment to the protection of public resources. With this in mind, the regulator aims at stronger mechanisms of enforcement and coordinated action in upholding the integrity of the state-run gaming monopoly, ensuring that revenues through legal gaming translate into healthcare benefits for millions of Colombians.
A New Chapter in Regulatory Enforcement
The establishment of the Judicial Police Unit is a turning point in Colombia’s gaming oversight landscape. With legal authority, technical expertise, and interagency coordination combined, Coljuegos positions itself to confront illegality more precisely and effectively. This structural enhancement not only strengthens the gaming sector but also reinforces the commitment of the country towards transparency, efficiency in operations, and the responsible management of public funds. With illegal gambling in Colombia now taking increasingly complex dimensions, such a proactive attitude from its regulator sets a new benchmark for enforcement across the region, proof that protecting public interest and maintaining a healthy, legal gaming environment does indeed require innovation and institutional determination.
Source: YogoNet
