The Colombian gambling regulator, Coljuegos, has introduced a new registry for slot machines as part of a concerted effort to tighten regulatory oversight and combat illegal gambling operations. The initiative marks a significant step toward enhancing market transparency and enforcing compliance across the physical gaming sector.
The new system, officially known as the Registro Único de Importadores y Comercializadores (RIC), is intended to give regulators a precise view of the importation and commercialisation of slot machines in Colombia. By centralising this information, Coljuegos aims to prevent illegal devices from entering or circulating in the market, directly supporting enforcement actions against unlicensed activity.
According to Coljuegos, the registry will enable regulators to monitor entities importing and distributing gaming equipment, ensuring that only certified and compliant machines are used by licensed operators. This initiative creates a clear chain of accountability for all parties involved, reduces the risk of illegal gambling activities, and strengthens market integrity.
Additionally, the registry will improve transparency, allowing regulators to efficiently track machines throughout their lifecycle. This oversight will also enable more effective enforcement, ensuring that operators adhere to regulatory standards at every stage of machine use.
Primary Features of the Slot Machine Registry
Under the new framework, all importers and distributors of slot machines must register with Coljuegos and provide required documentation, including technical specifications, licensing information, and proof of regulatory compliance. This will enhance traceability and empower authorities to shut down illegal operations.
By improving coordination and inspections, Coljuegos aims to reduce the prevalence of unregistered machines that undermine the regulated gambling ecosystem in Colombia.
Regulatory and Compliance Implications
For licensed operators, the implementation of the RIC means greater certainty and predictability in compliance processes. Slot machines that are not registered under the new system will be deemed non‑compliant, and operators found using them may face enforcement actions, including fines, licence suspension, or revocation.
Coljuegos has emphasised that the registry reinforces existing regulatory obligations and complements other mechanisms designed to uphold integrity in Colombia’s gambling market.
This initiative follows other recent judicial and regulatory developments. In late 2025, Colombia’s Council of State upheld a decision to suspend an emergency economic gambling tax, ruling that certain aspects of the tax measures lacked sufficient legal basis and due process. That case underscored the importance of regulatory clarity and judicial oversight in the gambling framework, highlighting areas where policy and enforcement must align with constitutional and administrative standards.
Broader Developments in Latin American Gambling Oversight
The introduction of the slot machine registry in Colombia also comes amid broader legislative efforts across Latin America to strengthen gambling regulation and tackle illegal operators. In Brazil, a legislative committee recently approved a bill aimed at combating illegal gambling and enforcing a new minimum tax of 15% on regulated gambling revenues, a measure designed to improve oversight and make the legal market more competitive and enforceable.
These developments reinforce a regional regulatory trend toward strengthening compliance frameworks, closing enforcement gaps, and ensuring that gambling markets function transparently and within the rule of law.
Enforcement Outlook and Market Stability
The RIC initiative is part of a larger strategy by Coljuegos to enhance regulatory controls and protect the integrity of Colombia’s gambling industry. By improving oversight across the entire supply chain from importers to operators, regulators aim to reduce illegal activity and safeguard both players and legitimate businesses.
Coljuegos has indicated that the registry will be rolled out alongside updated compliance guidelines, inspection protocols, and enforcement tools to ensure more targeted regulatory responses.