Colombia Grants Second Online Gambling License to Betplay

This week, officials in Colombia granted a second internet gaming permit to domestic firm Corredor Empresarial S.A., enabling it to function under the Betplay.com.co website. This designation makes Betplay the second enterprise permitted to provide digital wagering in Colombia.

The authorization will remain effective for five years, costing in excess of US $1 million, and the proceeds will be allocated to support the nation’s healthcare infrastructure. The head of Coljuegos, the Colombian gaming regulatory body, Juan B. Pérez Hidalgo, indicated that the government aims to generate approximately US $2.6 million within the initial year alone.

Corredor Empresarial already holds a significant presence within the Colombian gaming sector, overseeing more than 25,000 physical betting establishments. In June, it secured partnerships with European gaming technology suppliers Kambi Sports Solutions and R Franco Digital as part of its preparations to introduce online services.

Colombia is emerging as a highly appealing market for gaming entities, as it earned the distinction of being the first South American nation to formally legalize internet gambling. Aquila Global Group, an electronic gaming machine operator headquartered in Medellín, became the inaugural recipient of an online gambling license. They commenced operations earlier this summer using the brand name Wplay.co.

In an effort to bolster the success of licensed wagering platforms in Colombia, authorities have initiated a campaign to suppress more than 300 overseas gaming sites functioning without authorization. Commencing in July, Coljuegos, the nation’s gaming regulatory body, has undertaken efforts to restrict access to these global platforms.