Colombia Ranks Among Top 30 Markets for Online Gambling Participation

Colombia ranks among the 30 markets with the highest online gambling participation in DataReportal’s comparison, with 13.8% of internet users aged 16 and over reporting use of a gambling or betting website or app in the previous month.

Among the South American markets cited, Brazil recorded 19% and Chile 16.6%, placing Colombia third. The measure concerns participation among internet users rather than the population as a whole, and does not rank countries by gambling revenue or total player numbers. 

Participation Figures Draw on Earlier Survey Data

The figures appear in the Digital 2026 Global Overview Report, where the online gambling chart cites GWI research from the second quarter of 2025.

That timing matters: although the ranking received renewed coverage in October 2026, it is not a measurement of activity during the current month or evidence that Colombia recently moved into the top 30. The report measures whether respondents used an online gambling service during the preceding month. 

Market Estimates Point to Significant Betting Activity

Colombian newspaper La República, citing Coljuegos and industry association Fecoljuegos, reported annual gross wagering of approximately COP34.5 trillion to COP45 trillion and more than 10.8 million active registered accounts.

The publication also attributed approximately 51% of the national market to BetPlay and 14% to Wplay. Its coverage did not clearly specify the measurement basis or reference period for those market shares.

Account totals should also be distinguished from individual players, since customers can register with multiple operators. Similarly, gross wagering represents money staked, rather than the revenue operators retain after paying winnings. 

Coljuegos Collections Rise 39.38%

Separately, Coljuegos reported collecting COP977.22 billion between January and August 2026, up 39.38% from COP701.12 billion a year earlier.

These figures represent public collections earmarked for Colombia’s subsidised healthcare system, rather than operators’ commercial revenue.

Collections associated with sports betting through online operators reached COP473.02 billion, increasing 84.24%. The regulator attributed much of the growth to activity surrounding the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Land-based gambling collections also increased, rising 12.25% to COP280.87 billion. Coljuegos published the figures on September 23.