Colgamesthe regulatory entity for games of chance in Colombia, signed a pact for legality with the government of the department of Chocówith the objective of “combat criminal structures that finance themselves through illegal betting”.
In a statement, the Colombian regulatory entity recalled that pacts for legality are a strategy that seeks to “commit territorial entities to fight against illegal betting”. During 2024, agreements were signed with the departments of Tolima, Huila and Sucre, in addition to Chocó.
“The department of Chocó has great social needs. Therefore, from our administration, We are committed to prosecuting illegality and guaranteeing that health resources reach the territories that need them most“said the president of Coljuegos, Marco Emilio Hincapié.
“We know that illegal gambling situations occur in Chocó. Municipalities in the San Juan sector are affected by Keno, a game that is not authorized and for which we are working to build regulation. We also see that raffles that operate without authorization and that go against the provisions of the law are common.”he added.
Marco Emilio Hincapié
For its part, The governor of Chocó, Nubia Carolina Córdoba, highlighted the importance of promoting legal gamblingin order to increase transfers to health and, in this way, serve the communities that live in remote territories of the department.
“This is an opportunity for us, together, to fight against illegality and corruption, and to ensure that the resources that come from this monopoly can benefit the well-being of the citizens who need it most“said the governor.
“With this pact we are on the path towards legality so that games of luck and chance are an engine for the health of Chocoanos and Chocoanas“Córdoba added.
From Coljuegos they pointed out that, In 2024, the territorial games in the department of Chocó transferred a total of COP 1,000 million for healthof which COP 894 million come from chance and COP 106 million, from Raspa&Listo.
Furthermore, between January 2023 and March 2024, the Western Services Network, operator of the chance game, transferred COP 6,542 million to the Nation for VAT, while Chocó received more than COP 802 million additionally for the tax on foreign lotteries.
“On average, from January 2023 to April of this year, we have managed to transfer COP 10 million daily for health from chance sales. Besides, In Chocó we have 280 workers on the payroll and 1,200 independent installers who derive their livelihood from the activity we carry out.”he explained Jaime Fernández, legal representative of the Western Services Network.
