Is Poker Legal in Colombia? Coljuegos Online Poker 2026
Last updated: May 27, 2026
Online poker is fully legal in Colombia — the country was the first in Latin America to establish a regulated online gambling market when Coljuegos began issuing licenses in 2016. Approximately 20 operators including PokerStars.co, Wplay, and Codere hold Coljuegos licenses. The main player-facing tax consideration is Colombia's 19% VAT on gambling winnings — one of the highest effective player tax rates in Latin America. Live poker is widely available at Grand Prix Casino locations nationwide.
Colombia Poker Legal Status by Activity
Colombia operates the most fully developed regulated online gambling market in Latin America. Coljuegos strictly enforces the licensed/unlicensed distinction through ISP blocking, making Colombia one of the few LatAm markets where licensed and unlicensed operators face meaningfully different operating environments.
Coljuegos — Colombia's Gambling Regulator Since 2016
Coljuegos (Empresa Industrial y Comercial del Estado Administradora del Monopolio Rentístico de los Juegos de Suerte y Azar) is Colombia's state gambling authority. Established as a state enterprise, Coljuegos administers Colombia's gambling monopoly — issuing licenses to private operators, collecting taxes, and directing gambling revenue to fund Colombia's national health system through the Empresas Sociales del Estado (ETESA) mechanism.
When Coljuegos launched its online gambling licensing framework in 2016, Colombia became the first Latin American country to create a functioning regulated online gambling market. The Coljuegos model — licensing private operators under a state monopoly framework rather than operating directly — has since been studied by regulators in Argentina, Brazil, and Mexico.
Tax on Poker Winnings in Colombia — The 19% VAT
Colombia's gambling tax structure is unique in Latin America and highly controversial. Unlike most countries where gambling taxes are applied at the operator level (GGR tax), Colombia applies a 19% VAT directly on player winnings. This is in addition to the 15% GGR tax that operators pay.
19% VAT on Winnings
Withheld at Source
Licensed operators withhold 19% VAT from player winnings at the point of withdrawal. A player winning COP 1,000,000 receives approximately COP 810,000 after VAT. This is DIAN-mandated and applies across all Coljuegos-licensed operators.
15% GGR Tax
Operator-Level
Licensed operators pay a 15% gross gaming revenue tax to Coljuegos. This is an operator cost paid from business revenue — not directly withheld from player winnings. Combined with the VAT, it creates one of Latin America's highest total tax burdens on gambling.
Health System Funding
ETESA Mechanism
Both the GGR tax and VAT on winnings fund Colombia's national health system through ETESA (Empresas Sociales del Estado). The social benefit rationale is Coljuegos's primary justification for the high effective tax rates on gambling.
The 19% VAT on winnings has faced persistent industry criticism. Operators argue it drives players to unlicensed offshore sites that do not withhold the VAT — undermining the regulated market's competitive position. Several licensed operators have lobbied Coljuegos to replace the winnings VAT with a higher GGR tax, but the framework remained unchanged through 2026.
Licensed Online Poker Operators in Colombia
Colombia's licensed online gambling market launched in 2016 with a handful of operators and has grown to approximately 20 licensed sites by 2026. PokerStars.co dominates the online poker segment; sports betting operators like Wplay and Codere offer poker as a secondary product.
Live Poker Rooms in Colombia
Colombia has a well-developed live casino network with Coljuegos-licensed venues in all major cities. The Grand Prix Casino chain is the most widespread, with locations in Bogotá, Medellín, Cali, and other cities.
Definitions
Frequently Asked Questions
Is online poker legal in Colombia?
Yes — online poker is fully legal in Colombia and has been since 2016 when Coljuegos established Latin America's first regulated online gambling framework. Licensed operators including PokerStars.co, Wplay, Codere, and approximately 20 others hold Coljuegos licenses and legally serve Colombian players. Unlicensed operators are blocked via ISP filtering. Colombia is the most fully regulated online poker market in Latin America.
What is Coljuegos?
Coljuegos stands for Empresa Industrial y Comercial del Estado Administradora del Monopolio Rentístico de los Juegos de Suerte y Azar — Colombia's national gambling regulator. It is a state industrial and commercial enterprise that administers Colombia's gambling monopoly, issues licenses to private operators, collects gaming taxes, and enforces regulations including ISP blocking of unlicensed sites. Coljuegos was established to professionalize Colombia's gambling sector and channel revenue to the national health system.
How are poker winnings taxed in Colombia?
Colombia applies a 19% VAT (IVA — Impuesto al Valor Agregado) on gambling winnings — a controversial mechanism that applies to winnings themselves rather than solely to operator revenue. Licensed operators are required to withhold this 19% at source when players make withdrawals. Additionally, Coljuegos collects a 15% gross gaming revenue (GGR) tax from operators. The 19% VAT on winnings is effectively a direct player tax and is one of the highest in Latin America, making Colombia's player tax burden significant compared to markets like Brazil or Mexico.
Which sites are licensed in Colombia?
As of 2026, approximately 20 operators hold Coljuegos online gambling licenses. The primary poker operators are: PokerStars.co (market leader, highest traffic), Wplay (leading Colombian brand), Codere (major regional operator with physical casino presence), Betsson Colombia, Rivalo, and Rush Street Interactive (PlaySugarHouse). All licensed sites must display their Coljuegos license number and comply with player protection requirements. Unlicensed international sites are subject to ISP blocking enforced by Coljuegos.
What is the 19% VAT on winnings?
The 19% VAT on gambling winnings (applied under Colombia's general VAT law) is Coljuegos's most controversial regulatory feature. Unlike a GGR tax (which operators absorb as a business cost), the 19% VAT is applied to player winnings — meaning a player winning COP 1,000,000 receives approximately COP 810,000 after the withheld VAT. This makes Colombia's effective player tax rate among the highest in Latin America. The gaming industry has lobbied for reform, arguing the VAT on winnings — rather than on net gaming revenue — distorts the market and drives players to unlicensed offshore sites.
Where can I play live poker in Colombia?
Colombia has an extensive network of licensed casinos offering live poker. The Grand Prix Casino chain — the largest in Colombia — has multiple locations in Bogotá, Medellín, Cali, and other major cities, all offering regular poker tables. In Bogotá, Casino San Marcos and Casino El Dorado offer dedicated poker rooms. In Medellín, Las Vegas Casino is the primary poker destination. All live casino gambling is regulated by Coljuegos, and casinos are required to comply with player protection and anti-money laundering requirements.
Was Colombia the first country to regulate online gambling in Latin America?
Yes — Colombia became the first country in Latin America to establish a fully regulated online gambling market when Coljuegos began issuing online gambling licenses in 2016. This predated similar frameworks in Argentina (Buenos Aires Province's BAPRO Online launched in 2023), Brazil (online gambling regulated from 2023-2024), and Mexico (online gambling in a gray zone). Colombia's early mover advantage established Coljuegos as the template for Latin American online gambling regulation, and the Coljuegos model has been studied by regulators in neighboring countries.
Poker Legal Status by Country
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