Colombia has strengthened its regulatory framework with new responsible gambling requirements for online lottery and chance operators. The measures were approved by the Consejo Nacional de Juegos de Suerte y Azar (CNJSA) and apply to operators offering lottery, permanent bets (Chance), and RASPA&LISTO products via digital channels.
The agreement, adopted on April 23, 2026, aims to promote a culture of responsible gambling focused on prevention, self-care, and support for affected individuals.
Mandatory Self-Assessment and Self-Exclusion Tools
A key feature of the new rules is the introduction of online self-diagnosis tools. These tools allow players to assess their risk of problematic gambling behavior.
Operators must also provide accessible self-exclusion mechanisms, with the following requirements:
- Self-exclusion must be voluntary and operator-specific
- Minimum exclusion period set at 30 days
- Automatic renewal if no revocation request is submitted
- Full restriction on gambling activity during the exclusion period
Additionally, operators are required to maintain records of self-excluded users and revocation requests.
Operators Required to Implement Comprehensive Policies
All licensed operators must establish a formal Responsible Gambling Policy covering three key groups:
- Players without risk factors
- At-risk or self-excluded players
- Non-gamblers
These policies must include structured action plans, staff training programs, and risk awareness indicators. In addition, they must provide access to support resources such as mental health organizations.
A qualified representative must oversee implementation and submit semiannual reports detailing progress, effectiveness, and key metrics. For example, these reports should include the number of self-excluded users.
Stronger Protections for Minors
The agreement reinforces existing safeguards for underage individuals. Operators must clearly communicate age restrictions in advertising and ensure that marketing materials do not target minors.
Operators must also run preventive awareness campaigns. As a result, regulators place greater accountability on operators and lottery boards to actively promote responsible gambling practices.
Enhanced Compliance and Reporting Obligations
Operators are subject to stricter compliance requirements, including:
- Submitting biannual reports within 15 days of each semester’s end
- Providing annual impact reports to CNJSA
- Cooperating with audits and information requests from regulators
Data handling must comply with national privacy laws, including Law 1581 of 2012 and Decree 1074 of 2015.
Strengthening Oversight in a Growing Digital Market
The new framework reflects Colombia’s ongoing efforts to modernize its gambling regulations in response to the growth of online gaming. By introducing structured policies, monitoring systems, and player protection tools, authorities aim to create a safer and more sustainable gambling environment.
A Shift Toward Prevention and Accountability
With increased emphasis on prevention, transparency, and operator accountability, Colombia’s latest regulatory update signals a more proactive approach to managing gambling-related risks. As the market continues to expand, these measures are expected to play a key role in balancing industry growth with consumer protection.
