The government of Colombia has officially approved a plan that will allow gaming operators to offer online prize drawings. Decree 808 was introduced in June to support the country’s gaming industry, which has been decimated by the Covid-19 pandemic. Gaming in the country helps to fund the national healthcare system.
Under the plan, according to iGamingBusiness.com, operators may offer up to two draws annually provided they return 58 percent to players as winnings and pay 12 percent of turnover to the state. The government receipts will be distributed between the National Gaming Council (Consejo Nacional de Juegos de Suerte y Azar) and the National Federation of Departments (Federación Nacional de Departamentos).
In addition to online prize draws, Colombian gambling regulator Coljuegos has also permitted online bingo and legalized live dealer games during the pandemic.
Coljuegos President Juan B. Pérez Hidalgo hailed the plan, saying, “We are all committed to implementing these measures as quickly as possible, guaranteeing transparency, quality operations and greater resources for Colombian healthcare.”
The nation’s gaming industry, which employs almost half a million people, has been on hold due to Covid-19; plans to reopen land-based casinos and other gaming venues were first approved in August, but it’s up to individual municipalities to authorize local reopening plans.
Colombia’s second-largest city, Medellín, was the first in the nation to reopen after its alert level was downgraded.
