The History of Gambling in Colombia

Like most parts of South America, Colombia has a large Hispanic population. Hispanics have been known for years for enjoying card games, dominoes, and chequers.

Since 1991, Colombian residents have been allowed to participate in in-person gambling activities. Online betting has been legal here since 2001. In the early stages, the gambling field was run and monopolized by the state. Further, the official regulatory body, Coljuegos, appeared. In 2016, The Colombian eGaming Act was presented.

The Legality of Online Gambling in Colombia

Colombia is known as a pioneer in the legalization of online gambling. It became the first South American country to legalize it in 2016. Currently, Colombia has a clear regulatory framework, encouraging many offshore casinos to work in the country or advertise their services to Colombian citizens. The local authority, Coljuegos, regulates the gambling field.

According to the law, both regional and national gambling activities are allowed. So the answer to the question, “Are there casinos in Colombia,” is yes. Gamblers can take advantage of lotteries, land-based casinos, raffles, and online casinos in the country.

Licensing and Security of Colombian Online Casinos

In addition to being regulated locally, reputable casinos in Colombia hold licenses from known regulatory bodies, like the Malta Gaming Authority and Curacao eGaming.

Gamblers should only choose gambling sites that promote responsible gambling, or Juega Bien. This is required by Colombian law. Regarding security, players can rest assured since every licensed casino Colombia site is encrypted with security protocols.

Top Games at Colombian Online Casinos

Popular gambling activities on reputable online casino sites include:

• Slots
• Baccarat
• Poker
• Roulette
• Blackjack

Some players prefer to stick with the classics such as bingo, scratch cards, craps, Sic Bo, Omaha, and Texas Hold’em Poker. Here is the list of games allowed for legal gambling in Colombia casinos:

• Keno
• Bingo
• Sic Bo
• Blackjack
• Roulette
• Omaha
• Texas Hold’em Poker
• Classic slots
• Video slots

Blackjack and online poker seem to hold a special place in the hearts of Colombian players. These games require the knowledge of strategy and a certain degree of analytical thinking.

Payment Choices in Colombian Casinos

Players of online casinos in Colombia are known to have a generous choice of payment methods. Financial transactions can be performed in the local currency, the Colombian peso, as well as foreign  and international currencies, such as the dollar and euro. Gamblers can use major credit and debit cards for playing at online casinos. Deposits are typically instant, withdrawals are processed quickly, and every transaction is secured via encryption. MasterCard casinos and Visa gaming sites welcome Colombian players to test their services while offering instant deposit methods.

E-wallets are another alternative when it comes to traditional payment methods. PayPal casinos, Skrill casinos, and Neteller casinos can be found in Colombia, implementing a security protocol to protect the player’s privacy. A huge benefit of this banking method is that the user does not have to provide his bank card details to make transactions. The majority of players in Colombia casinos prefer to gamble using PayPal. This method allows the user not to reveal his personal information to the casino providers. Anyone who requires anonymity for their financial dealings will be satisfied by an added degree of security.

Withdrawals are processed in a few days in most online casinos in Colombia. All transactions are specifically encrypted to ensure player security. Real money casinos in Colombia are also known for accepting cryptocurrencies for both payments and payouts. Colombia is known for having a bunch of Ethereum and Bitcoin casinos that accept local players. Any monetary transactions will be safe due to blockchain technology and low transfer fees.