Expressen, an online portal, sits on Coljuegos’ blacklist of websites that promote illegal betting. The Colombian regulator put it there back in 2021 when Iván Duque was still president.
The agency can’t confirm if Expressen runs other domains beyond the one flagged for blocking. But it’s now part of a massive list, over 34,100 platforms caught operating or promoting illegal gambling across Colombia.
Coljuegos President Marco Emilio Hincapié leads the agency. He’s pushing hard against unauthorised operators throughout the region.
Why Colombia Strengthened Its Blocking Powers
The blocking request relies on Article 38 of Law 643. That law dates back to 2011, but lawmakers amended it earlier this year. The update gave regulators more teeth.
The amended law lets Coljuegos and police monitor internet pages, financial institutions, and media channels. They can track anything involved in unauthorised gambling, from operations to advertising to payment processing, and they can order blocks without much red tape.
It’s a significant shift. Regulators now have clearer authority to shut down illegal sites quickly.
What Actions Coljuegos Has Taken Recently
The agency ramped up enforcement on September 25. Officers seized 6,291 illegal items that day. They destroyed nearly 9,774 bingo halls and poker tables, plus slot machines and internet betting modules.
That’s just physical enforcement. The digital crackdown continues separately, with thousands of websites facing blocks.
On September 30, Coljuegos requested the blocking of another illegal site. This one offered betting on electoral events, a prohibited activity. The agency opened an investigation into whoever runs that platform.
How This Shapes Colombia’s Gambling Market
Hincapié explained the agency’s stance clearly. “We have taken on the responsibility of protecting the legality and integrity of the sector with total determination,” he said. “Today I want to highlight the commitment of our entity on two fundamental fronts: the fight against illegal gambling and the prevention of money laundering and the financing of terrorism.”
The regulator isn’t just blocking sites. It’s building what it calls a sustainable regulatory approach. The goal? Foster growth for legal operators while crushing unauthorised competition.
This dual strategy puts pressure on illegal operators. At the same time, it creates clearer boundaries for licensed companies. The enforcement actions send a message: Colombia’s gambling market has rules, and Coljuegos plans to enforce them.
With over 34,000 sites already blocked, the scope of illegal activity is clear. So is the regulator’s response.
