The Colombian government regulates gambling rigorously to ensure the safety of the customers. This means that you must be 18 or older to gamble, you must not use a slot machine made in 1952 or older and you must make sure the Colombian online casino is licensed. If found breaking these regulations, you can be fined or even imprisoned.
The people of Colombia are not new to online gambling and casinos, although it has only been legal since 2016. Companies that want to offer online casino games will need to obtain a license to do it. Land-based casinos in Colombia are mainly found in Bogota or Medellin, so for most people, the only option is to use an online casino unless they go to the slot halls, but this is the only game available there.
The online gambling industry in Colombia is highly regulated. Anyone found operating an online casino without the appropriate license will be prosecuted, and the site cannot be operated for five years. To date, the authorities in Colombia have blocked more than 3000 gambling sites. Some companies work alongside Colombian companies with the licenses to be able to offer these services in the country.
Even though online casinos have only been in operation since 2016, they are very popular, and it is estimated that a large proportion of the population has an online gambling account. However, it is not possible to bet on all sports in Colombia, so players should check in advance if there are any restrictions and plan their bets accordingly.
Real money casinos in Colombia
As fun and thrilling as gambling may be, it can turn into a dangerous addiction. In order to prevent this, inform yourself about the importance of responsible gambling. Gambling should be a recreational activity, and not used as a means of income. Irresponsible gambling can lead to a relationship, financial and health problems.
To prevent this leisure activity to turn into a problem, here are some rules to follow:
- Make a budget- play with real money that you can afford to lose
- Know when to walk away
- Don't gamble when you're drunk, sad, or upset
- Know that gambling is not a way of making a steady income