Legislation
Colombia – Colombian crackdown on illegal slot parlours continues
By Phil - 12 March 2014
The crackdown on the illegal gaming sector in Colombia continues apace with a number of recent high profile raids in the neighbourhoods of Manrique, Candelaria, San Javier, Guadalupe and Aranjuez de Medellín.
Combined the slot parlours recorded revenue of around US$250,000 a year.
Slot machines seized by the board will be destroyed and owners will not be permitted to run slot machines for the next five years face and face a number of stiff penalties. Casino board officials were backed up by members of the Medellin police department in a major operation which emphasises the new casino board´s commitment to eradicating illegal gambling. It is estimated that illegal gaming still accounts for around 20 per cent of all bets made in Colombia. Gaming in Colombia is particularly vital as income generated by the industry is destined for the Health Service.
The previous gaming control board, the Empresa Territorial para la Salud (ETESA), was replaced in 2012 after a number of high profile corruption scandals, and the new board is made up of members from a number of government ministries and its director is directly appointed by the president.
Known as Coljuegos the new board has a larger staff, a wider remit to enter and inspect casinos and technological advances regarding the online monitoring of gaming operations now at its disposal. Under current plans tax revenue generated by the industry is set to increase to an estimated $1bn over the next two years. In addition to raising tax revenue by combating the illegal gaming sector the board has also announced its intention to increase the number of games which are permitted in the country including online gaming, virtual online sports betting
and Keno and sports Pari-mutuel betting.
