Coljuegos uncovers COP$7.11bn in illegal gambling raids

| By Marese O'Hagan
Colombian gaming regulator Coljuegos, in conjunction with Colombian National Police, have seized 274 items of illegal gambling equipment in the cities of Bogotá and Montería, in raids worth COP$7.11bn (£1.3m/$1.9m/€1.6m).

Coljuegos and the National Police first carried out raids in Bogotá towns Suba, Ciudad Bolivar and Engativá, which recovered COP$5.89bn that had been obtained through illegal gambling operations. A total of 224 gambling machines were also uncovered.

In Montería, Córdoba, 50 electronic slot machines were confiscated across raids on 15 establishments, while COP$1.22bn in illegal gambling funds was also discovered.

According to Colombian law, each illegal electronic slot machine comes with a fine of COP$72.6m.

For other illegal gambling operations, the fine is stipulated at COP$272.5m for each establishment, point of sale, outlet and vendor.

In addition, each establishment will be prohibited from operating as a gambling facility for five years, and those responsible will be subject to a prison term of six to eight years.

In August, Coljuegos seized 139 items of gaming equipment from seven raids on unlicensed gambling establishments in the town of Manaure.

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