Interactive
Colombia – Colombia grants two more online gaming licences
By Phil - 11 September 2018
Colombian gaming regulator Coljuegos has granted two new operators the licence to operate online sports betting.
Alfabet S.A.S. and Teclino S.A.S. will be now able to offer their services under the domains www.betalfa.co and www.rivalo.co although both sites are not yet up and running. The Head of Coljuegos Juan B. Pérez Hidalgo welcomed the news saying that it was further proof that companies were eager to invest in Colombia’s online gaming market.
“Colombia is the first country in America to regulate online gambling. There are already 14 websites that offer legal online betting ,” the official said.
“Increasingly games operated over the Internet in Colombia, are strengthening as an activity in entertainment and as a technological benchmark, which has allowed national and foreign capital to have higher expectations in a market that provides a clear regulation and guarantees the opening of opportunities of those who meet the financial, technical and legal requirements. This expands the portfolio of games, technologies, services and increases resources for the health of Colombians.
“According to the latest statistics as of July 2018, there are now 977 thousand registered accounts with already existing authorised online operators. The operation of online gaming as of July 2018, reported income from licensing rights of COP$16.6bn,” the head of Coljuegos said.
By the end of 2018, it is expected that the board will give the green light to 17 online operators.
Alfabet, is a locally based company. It will provide a portfolio with more than 20 different sports offerings. Teclino meanwhile is a subsidiary of Rivalo. Rivalo.com is a brand of 247SportsInteractive B.V. a company registered in the Commercial Register of the Curaçao Chamber of Commerce & Industry. The company is licensed in Curaçao to provide Internet gaming services and products.
Online gaming laws in Colombia began to be tightened after legislation was passed in 2016. According to new regulations, operators granted a licence must adhere to a number of strict obligations and meet the technical requirements as per the terms granted to it by the state. Meanwhile, Coljuegos with the help of the National Police has continued to manage the blocking of unauthorised web pages strengthening the sector further.
