In the ongoing crackdown on illegal gambling, the Colombian gaming regulatory authority Coljuegos seized 628 illegal gambling devices in Atlántico and Meta provinces, preventing an estimated annual loss of about 520 million Colombian pesos (approximately $129,184) to the healthcare system.
Coljuegos President Marco Emilio Hincapié stated: "We are intensifying our efforts across all provinces, strictly controlling illegal activities, and protecting health resources allocated to the most vulnerable groups. This is the most forceful action against the black market relying on gambling profits in the history of our institution."
In the city of Granada in Meta province, law enforcement dismantled an unlicensed bingo hall, seizing 580 illegal items, including board games, ball pits, and furniture. This venue evaded approximately 150 million Colombian pesos (about $37,264) in franchise fees annually.
Similarly, in Barranquilla, Atlántico province, police seized 48 illegal electronic slot machines, which failed to contribute approximately 369 million Colombian pesos (about $91,671) annually to the health system.
Hincapié added: "By 2025, we have seized 2,103 illegal gambling devices and will continue to increase our enforcement efforts over the coming months to combat underground gambling crimes."
This year, Coljuegos has conducted operations in Bogotá and the provinces of Cundinamarca, Norte de Santander, Nariño, Tolima, Cauca Valley, Bolívar, Córdoba, Cesar, La Guajira, Meta, Atlántico, and Risaralda, destroying 9,695 illegal items and blocking over 27,500 illegal gambling websites to prevent their integration into criminal networks.
