Colombia: gambling revenue increased 18% in 2022 to $175m

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Coljuegos, the Colombian gambling regulator, has shared the country’s gambling financial results for 2022, a year in which the country collected $175m from the industry, an 18% increase when compared to 2021.

Although the Colombian industry is years ahead of other Latin American countries in terms of its online market, casinos and bingo halls ranked first in the list of verticals with the highest revenues in 2022, with $70.3m. This number represents a 33% increase when compared to 2021, mainly because of electronic slot machines.

Online gambling totaled $56.1m, while Super Astro generated $26.4m; Baloto, $11.7m; and promotional games, $1m.

Additionally, localized games generated $8.8m, representing an 11% year-over-year rise.

According to the President of Coljuegos, César Augusto Valencia Galiano, the industry achieved growth in both betting numbers and exploitation rights.

The President also highlighted the Qatar 2022 World Cup, which “met the expectations around online gambling” and mainly benefitted “the health of Colombians.”

In regards to the Health sector, the industry allocated $252.6m in 2022, almost twice what it had reported between January and October 2021, when it registered $122.7m in contributions.

Of the total, the municipalities and departments received $33m, while the entity that manages health and social security resources (ADRES) received $105.6m.

Furthermore, $13.5m was allocated to the National Pension Fund for Territorial Entities (FONPET) and $9.9m to the Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation.

Physical games such as Chance, Lotería, and Raspa&Listo contributed $90.4m. Among these three modalities, the revenues reached the $74.7m figure, representing a 22% increase when compared to the same period in 2021.

To conclude the report, the president assured that the year finished with “excellent dynamics,” which will allow Coljuegos “to be optimistic to face the challenges and goals set in 2023.”