Colombia issues first online gaming licence
Country’s government pledges to protect new regulated market with ISP blocking of more than 300 operators
Colombian gaming regulator Coljuegos has officially opened the country’s regulated market by issuing its first online gambling licence to WPlay.co.
The sportsbook is operated by Apuesta Global Group, a Medellin firm which operates land-based slot machines.
The regulator said it expected to issue more licences throughout the year and raise approximately £2m in gaming tax.
As part of the new framework, Coljuegos said the country’s Ministry of Information Technologies and Communications would enforce a ban on 325 gaming companies, listed here, from 30 June.
“We want more operators to obtain authorisation from Coljuegos to achieve a strong sector, in tune with new technologies,” Coljuegos president Juan Pérez Hidalgo said.
WPlay, which operates on a proprietary platform, said it expects to generate around 3,000 jobs and reach 1,000,000 registered users over the next three years
Licensed operators will pay a tax of 15-17% on gross gaming yield, and will be required to ensure a return to player (RTP) of 83%.