GAMBLING INSIDER

Colombia has granted this week its second online gambling licence to lottery and chance games operator Corredor Empresarial S.A. The country’s regulatory body Coljuegos announced on Monday it has issued Colombia’s second official licence to the local firm, which will operate sports betting, slot machines, roulette and other games of chance under the Betplay.com.co domain.

The licence, which is set to last five years, was worth over $1m to Colombia’s watchdog. Coljuegos President, Juan B. Pérez Hidalgo, said that this move will contribute to the nation's health care funding. Additionally, the government hopes to raise COP 8b ($2.6m) in the first year following its online market regulation.

This news comes after Corredor Empresarial signed a series of gambling technology agreements with European providers Kambi Sports Solutions and R Franco Digital last June. The now-online gaming operator already manages over 25,000 retail points of sale across the country.

Colombia has become a promising ground for gaming operators after being the first Latin American jurisdiction to formally approve online gambling last October. Earlier this summer, back in June, Medellin-based electronic gaming machine operator Aquila Global Group obtained the first-ever licence to operate online in Colombia using the Wplay.co brand.

However, the South American nation has blacklisted over 300 foreign operators to ensure that locally-licensed operators generate sufficient revenues. Coljuegos has began blocking international domains in July.