Colombia Casino Bonuses

Welcome Bonuses

The first promotion you will encounter is typically called a Welcome Bonus because it is designed for a casino’s new users. Opting in may require a promo code, although sometimes simply making a qualifying deposit during registration is enough. These new-player promotions come in various formats, the most common being the Deposit Bonus. If you opt in to a Welcome Promotion that includes this bonus, your first deposit will be matched with bonus funds.

Free games are also popular in new-player packages. Regardless of which offer you choose, remember that such promotions are usually accompanied by detailed terms and conditions you must meet to fully redeem the bonus. Wagering requirements, wager limits, and restrictions such as free spins being tied to a specific slot are all quite common. Therefore, always read the Terms and Conditions first.

Loyalty Bonuses

Unlike the introductory offers we discussed, loyalty bonuses reward regular players who choose to stay with a particular casino. These bonuses typically take the form of a VIP program, in which players climb through tiers by wagering and earning points. Advancing to a new level usually unlocks fresh promotions or enhanced versions of existing ones, making the overall gaming experience even more exciting.

Among the available perks, reload bonuses – essentially deposit bonuses for existing customers – are especially common. Free games are once again a staple of these offers. Cashback, meaning partial refunds based on the amount a player has lost over a given period, is also frequently reserved for loyalty programs.

Overview

The 2001 Gambling Act is Colombia’s primary piece of legislation governing gambling. Under this Act, the agency responsible for issuing licenses to casinos and bookmakers eligible to operate in the country is the Colombian Gambling Authority, commonly known as Coljuegos. This entity regulates gambling on a national scale and can introduce new requirements and rules that operators must follow.

Because of the Gambling Act, 2001 marked the year when land-based gambling officially became legal and regulated in Colombia. As in many other jurisdictions, the country was somewhat late to recognize the impact online gaming would have on the industry. Fortunately, online gambling was formally legalized in the mid-2010s, covering both desktop casino sites and mobile-friendly platforms.

Besides Coljuegos, Colombian authorities have also appointed the CNJSA to regulate specific gaming-related activities. These include regional lotteries, horse racing, permanent betting, lotto, and raffles.

Regarding taxation, Colombian players should remember that their winnings are taxable. At the time of writing, up to 20% of winnings exceeding $400 must be paid in taxes.

Licensing

As established, the Colombian Gambling Commission is the main authority operators approach when they seek a license that allows them to legally offer their services to Colombian gamblers. The Coljuegos officially regulates land-based gambling, national raffles, pool betting, and online gambling products.

To obtain and maintain a license, an operator must meet the Commission’s requirements. For online operators, these conditions include using a .co domain, keeping player funds in a segregated account at a Colombia-based financial institution, and ensuring that the operator’s software and games are certified by a local testing laboratory. Additionally, slot RTPs cannot be set below 83%. The licensing framework also outlines measures operators must implement to combat money laundering.

A separate set of rules addresses responsible gambling. Operators must adequately train staff, employ tools to identify users at risk of problem gambling, and offer features such as deposit limits, loss limits, session limits, and self-exclusion. Vulnerable individuals and minors must be prevented from accessing gambling products. Operators are also required to create a responsible gambling manual, which must be approved by Coljuegos.

Interestingly, the Colombian licensing process eliminates the need to obtain multiple licenses when offering several gaming products. Instead, a single license is almost all-encompassing, excluding only those activities that fall under the CNJSA’s authority. A typical Colombian gaming license lasts at least three years and can be valid for up to five.