COLOMBIA Trends and Developments Contributed by: Juan Camilo Carrasco and Juliana Duque, Asensi Abogados
Complementary trends For 2026, Coljuegos is expected to further develop new regulatory lines aimed at strengthening player protection and operational traceability. These may include a review of the self-exclusion system and online marketing channels, with the goal of reinforc- ing responsible gaming policies and ensuring effective oversight of digital promotion. It is also likely that progress will be made on a draft regulation on personal data protection, updating oper- ator obligations regarding cross-border data transfers, cybersecurity and user data protection. Likewise, institutional performance evaluation mechanisms and electronic notifications could be introduced, consist- ent with the regulator’s ongoing efforts to promote digital modernisation and procedural efficiency within the sector. Finding the Right Balance between Control and Innovation The Colombian gaming sector enters 2026 with mixed signals: on the one hand, stabilised revenue levels and ‒ on the other ‒ continued pressure on the online channel due to VAT, an active regulator, and a techni- cal agenda in constant motion. The system remains a regional benchmark yet faces operational and com- petitiveness challenges that demand precise policy decisions.
A comprehensive discussion on the tax model is urgently needed – how to generate revenue without driving demand towards the illegal market or penalis- ing innovation. The issue is not paying less, but taxing more effectively, based on real contributive capacity, transparency and neutrality, to sustain the formal mar- ket and its contribution to public health. The trends for 2026 are clear: greater control of ille- gality, modernisation of the online inspection system, and stricter compliance standards under SAGRILAFT. The challenge will be ensuring that this new regulatory layer does not result in disproportionate burdens or hinder the entry of new providers and game content. Despite this robust framework, there is still no clear agenda for opening to innovative gaming modalities. Globally, the industry is advancing towards models involving skill-based elements, instant-win formats and dynamic catalogues, yet no roadmap is visible in Colombia to enable pilots, certification rules for new content, or evidence that this is a short-term regula- tory priority. Ultimately, the desirable balance lies in combining strong controls with innovation pathways: a frame- work that merges real-time inspection, reliable data and integrity standards with clear procedures for new games, providers and payment gateways. Without regulated innovation, the market risks losing traction against unlicensed offerings.
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