Colombia’s government changed the VAT base for online betting to gross gaming revenue under an emergency fiscal decree effective 1 January 2026, Fecoljuegos said. The 19% rate now applies to bets minus player prizes; the trade body said the change leaves the industry with a limited operating margin.
The revised tax base changes how licensed online operators calculate Colombia’s 19% VAT.
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Colombia ranked third in South America for online gambling participation, with 13.8% of internet users aged 16 and older taking part, according to DataReportal. Figures attributed to Coljuegos and Fecoljuegos put the country’s annual online betting gross betting volume at COP 34.5 trillion to COP 45 trillion, with more than 10.8 million active accounts.
A DataReportal study of internet users aged over 16 found that South Africa had the highest online gambling participation, at 32.3%, followed by Norway at 31.2%. The report also cited estimates of $105 billion to $121 billion for the global digital betting market and said Colombia had more than 10.8 million registered active accounts.
A DataReportal study of internet users aged over 16 found that South Africa had the highest online gambling participation, at 32.3%, followed by Norway at 31.2%, according to the report. The percentages refer to surveyed internet users rather than the whole population of each country.
Brahim Mohamed Aslimani, CEO of PAF Spain, outlined five regulatory challenges facing online gambling after speaking at Gaming in Spain 2026 in Madrid. He cited player protection, a joint deposit-limit system, new awareness messaging, payment-method ownership verification and an algorithm to identify risky behaviour.
PAF Spain's chief executive, Brahim Mohamed Aslimani, set out five regulatory challenges facing online gambling after speaking at Gaming in Spain 2026 in Madrid, the report said. He identified player protection, a joint deposit-limit system, new awareness messaging, requirements to verify the ownership of payment methods and an algorithm intended to identify risky behaviour.
Colombian senator Gustavo Moreno said he is preparing a bill to tighten state oversight of online betting platforms. His proposals include digital identity checks and daily and monthly limits on deposits and losses; Fecoljuegos president Evert Montero said legal platforms already use safeguards and argued that enforcement should focus on illegal gambling.
Senator Gustavo Moreno is promoting a bill in Colombia to tighten controls on online betting. His proposal would require digital identity checks and set daily and monthly deposit and loss limits; Fecoljuegos supports responsible-gambling controls but warns that excessive regulation could strengthen illegal operators.