The Colombian gaming regulator Coljuegos has welcomed all interested parties to build a National Responsible Gambling Policy, which was introduced as part of International RG Day last Friday.
The initiative seeks to consolidate “the agreements and provisions of the operators” to support players and formalize three key points.
In the first place, Coljuegos wants to protect the community from the “negative consequences” derived from not being able to “control the impulses to play”, ultimately to promote gambling as a healthy entertainment activity.
It also aims to share reliable and truthful information to provide security around the details needed to make decisions.
Additionally, it aims at sharing tools to help players educate themselves to prevent excessive gambling. This initiative “results in direct protection for the player and everyone around their environment.”
According to the Commercial VP of Coljuegos, Henry García González, the goal is for players to implement self-care tools.
“We know this is a process of cultural change, and that with practice it will be internalized and become organic as it has happened in other countries at a global level,” he said.
The VP also highlighted that the policy is being developed with all the parties involved in the gambling industry in Colombia, both private and public.
“This policy is being built with unions, associations and support networks for problem gamblers, the academic and research sectors, the Ministry of Health and Social Protection, the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation,” he added.
García González explained that the policy is the result of a strategy that has been in the works since 2018, which included prevention and support for those affected by problem gambling, the commitment from operators, integrity measures and a space to interact with players.
“Our industry doesn’t stop growing and we must move forward. The good practices in other countries inspire us and the Colombian players are our motivation,” he said.
This policy was presented a few weeks after Coljuegos released its financial results for 2022, a year in which online gaming and sports betting reported 18% growth, totaling $161m in revenue.
Furthermore, the Colombian regulator also shared that it’s confident that 2023 will be a successful year for the sector.
