Colombia is on the verge of a digital sports revolution as a new bill recognizes esports as an official discipline, opening doors to regulated betting, public funding for players, and international competition.
Colombia’s online gaming and betting landscape is undergoing a historic transformation as Law Project 026 of 2024, a groundbreaking bill recognizing esports as an official sports discipline, moves closer to becoming law. The bill recently passed the Senate and now awaits presidential approval; a final step before its provisions can be fully enacted.
Once sanctioned, the bill will integrate esports into Colombia’s National Sports System, allowing it to benefit from government support similar to traditional sports. For the country’s dynamic online gambling sector, this legislation opens a new and promising frontier: regulated esports betting.
Industry stakeholders have praised the move as a vital leap toward modernization. Marco Emilio Hincapié, President of Coljuegos, the country’s gambling regulatory body, highlighted the significance of the bill: “Esports now has legislative support. We understand that this is both the present and the future, and we won’t be left behind in the face of technological progress.”
With this legal framework in place, Colombia’s 14 licensed online betting operators will be able to offer a broader range of bets, including those tied to esports tournaments and matches. This expansion is expected to attract a younger, tech-savvy demographic, injecting new energy into a sector that, while booming, has recently faced economic headwinds.
Between January and March 2025 alone, online gaming in Colombia registered more than 4.6 trillion pesos (approx. USD 1.08 million) in wagers, with traditional sports events leading the activity. However, recent regulatory changes, such as a 19% VAT on online gambling deposits, have caused a notable decline in gross gaming revenue and raised concerns about players migrating to unregulated markets. By diversifying betting options through esports, the government hopes to revitalize the sector and ensure sustainable growth.
But the impact of the bill extends beyond betting. It paves the way for the formation of esports clubs, leagues, and national federations. These institutions will be eligible for public funding, helping to sponsor cyber-athletes and support training programs aimed at developing local talent. According to Ciro Solano Hurtado, President of the Colombian Olympic Committee, the law is a responsible and forward-thinking step: “Thanks to this new esports regulation, we will be able to have many young people practicing what today the International Olympic Committee has already recognized as a sport.”
Private and public sector alliances are also forming to develop national esports tournaments. José Aníbal Aguirre, CEO of GAT (Gaming & Technology Expo), emphasized the potential of these partnerships: “We hope to take our cyber-athletes to international championships to represent our country.”
With legislative momentum, growing industry support, and a clear vision for the future, Colombia is positioning itself as a regional leader in both gaming innovation and regulated digital betting. The esports bill could be the catalyst that not only reshapes the betting market but also elevates Colombian esports to the global stage.
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