Online sports betting is extremely popular in Colombia with over 59% of the population engaging in some form of betting on a regular basis. Colombia is a progressive nation that has regulated online sports betting and presently has eight sportsbooks legally taking bets.
There are still many offshore online sportsbooks taking bets, but recent changes to online gambling laws and restrictions placed by the Colombian government has made it very difficult for citizens to bet on offshore sportsbooks.
On this page you’ll learn all about the changes to online gambling laws in Colombia, the types of sites that are licensed, the sports you can bet on at Colombian sportsbooks and how you can fund your online sportsbook account.
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Colombia Betting Sites
Colombia became the first country in South America to regulate online sportsbooks and online gambling. With the regulated industry less than a year old, the online sports betting market is steadily growing, and growth is expected to skyrocket over the next few years.
Online sportsbooks are investing millions to provide world-class sports betting sites to Colombians, making online sportsbooks in Colombia an attractive option for bettors. It's no secret that much of the sports betting action is going to be on football, so sites are paying particular attention to making sure that a wide variety of football bets are available.
The great thing about Colombian sportsbooks is that you can bet on any sports, not just football. If you want to bet on Aussie League Football, rugby, cricket or even eSports, you can do so from the comfort of your home.
When you're ready to sign up, don't forget to check out the promotional offers on the sportsbook. Many offer welcome bonuses that will give you a match bonus which can double your initial deposit or give you free bets to use on a variety of sports. To learn more about the offers available, go to the promotions section of the sportsbook.
Is Sports Betting Legal in Colombia?
Online sports betting and other forms of online gambling were legalized in 2016 by the eGaming Act. In addition to sports betting, licensed operators can offer casino games, fantasy sports, and online poker.
However, there are a few things that Colombians should know. Firstly, it is only legal to place bets on licensed sportsbooks. Presently, there are only eight companies licensed to conduct online gambling in Colombia.
Next, the Colombian government is enacting internet censoring that will block access to unlicensed sportsbooks. They have already blocked over 325 unlicensed sportsbooks and gambling domains. As such, the only way to play at an online sportsbook not licensed by Colombia will be to access it via VPN.
However, the licensing process for Colombia is somewhat liberal, so there is a high chance many more sportsbooks will become licensed in the future. They have only been awarding licenses since July 2017, so it may take time for your favorite sportsbook to become licensed.
What are Popular Sports to Bet on In Colombia?
Football is king among sports in Colombia. Over 3 million people play football, and there are over 2,700 football clubs in Colombia. As such, football betting drives Colombian sportsbooks. Whether players are betting on the National Team in the World Cup, on local leagues or international leagues like the English Premier League, no other sports can touch the volume of bets placed on football.
That doesn't mean other sports aren't bet. Other popular sports include horse racing, baseball, boxing, motorsports, and cycling. There's also regular action on American sports such as the NFL, NBA and Major League Baseball.
Do Bettors Have to Pay Taxes on their Winnings?
Online sports bettors presently don’t have to pay taxes on winnings. The current structure legislative structure requires that online sportsbooks and casinos pay a tax of 15% on gross gaming revenue, meaning that the sportsbooks are paying the taxes for you.
This is excellent news for those that choose to bet in Colombia as you don't have to pay out any of your winnings, giving you more money to gamble with.
How to Make a Deposit At a Sportsbook in Colombia
When you're ready to deposit at Colombian sportsbooks, you will have a wide variety of options. Most sportsbooks serving Colombia accepts credit and debit cards.
If credit cards are not a viable option for you, then try eWallets. NETELLER, Skrill and Skrill One-Tap are excellent options for online bettors. A few sportsbooks accept PayPal for deposits.
Prepaid cards are an excellent option for funding your account. The paysafecard, AstroPay, and EntroPay offer fast and secure prepaid transactions with no bank or credit cards required.
Finally, you can use bank wires or eChecks to make a deposit. These transfers can take up to 48 to post to your account.
Note that offshore sportsbooks may not accept COP for payment. Conversion fees may apply. USD will be the most convenient currency option for most online sportsbooks.
Mobile Betting Options
Online sportsbooks offer the convenience of mobile betting and are accessible from almost all smartphones and tablets. The best sportsbooks are those offering a mobile-optimized version of their website.
Mobile-optimized sites allow full access through your mobile device's web browser, typically Google Chrome or Safari. There are few if any, restrictions using this method and any mobile operating system is compatible provided they have a mobile browser.
Some sites still offer mobile apps, but many don't provide the same features as the PC website or a mobile-optimized site. However, if a mobile app offers the games you enjoy betting on, they are still a viable option.
If you play on your mobile, then you should take advantage of mobile promotions. Mobile promotions range from welcome bonuses to free bets and special deposit bonuses. They courage play via mobile, and often you can use them in conjunction with offers from the PC version of the sportsbook. Check the mobile promotions section of the site for more details.
