Colombia: online gaming grows 148% in the first half of the year
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he president of Coljuegos, César Augusto Valencia Galiano, analyzed the gambling market behavior in Colombia during the first half of this year: "We have lived through challenging times in which we have found, as a result of the pandemic, aspects that can hardly be controlled and that impact this industry. Even in the midst of this situation, we work together with trade bodies and operators in the economic reactivation".
At the GAT Expo 2021 fair, the president of Coljuegos explained that in the first half of 2021 the vertical of games of luck and chance has registered total sales of COP $19.48 billion (USD $5 million), which represents a growth of 99% compared to to the same period in 2020 when sales amounted to COP $9.77 billion (USD $2.52 million).
"Regarding exploitation rights collected, between January and June, this value has risen to COP $332,886 million (USD $86,061), an increase of 83% compared to the previous year. Out of that total, COP $108,053 million (USD $27,935) correspond to localized games and COP $87,354 million (USD $22,583) to online games," Valencia Galiano highlighted.
One of the verticals that have registered the greatest growth in the industry of games of luck and chance is online betting, a product, among other things, of the great virtuality that characterizes the consumer these days. “Last year, these games reported sales of COP $8.3 billion (USD $2,14 million), meaning that they reached a growth of 73% compared to 2019. However, as of June this year, the figures are even greater, because sales of up to COP $6.99 billion (USD $1,8 million) have been reported, showing that we have achieved 148% more in bets generated, compared to the first half of last year. We hope that in the second semester this modality will continue with the same sales rhythm, positioning itself in the market as one of the great strengths of our sector," explained Jhon Jairo Altamiranda, Commercial Vice President of Coljuegos, who was the speaker at one of the fair's presentations.
The president of Coljuegos said that the situation generated by the pandemic in the vertical of games of luck and chance boosted the evolution of bets in online games. "As an effect of the cancellation of sporting events at a national and international level, a considerable increase was generated in the participation of RNG games (GNA games, for its initials in Spanish), which represents those games in which a random number generator intervenes, such as casino games, including slot machines, roulette, blackjack, among others. For this reason, loyal players to online games had no choice but to migrate to the RNG mode, which increased their market share," he explained.
Valencia Galiano said that all of the above-mentioned has allowed larger resources for the health of Colombians. "We must remember that believing in this vertical of games of luck and chance and choosing this entertainment activity in a legal and responsible manner, in portals and establishments authorized by Coljuegos, means more health resources in Colombian regions," he concluded.
Together with Coljuegos, the Directorate of Games and Raffles of the Secretary of Interior in Mexico were present at the World Congress of Gambling in eSports, with whom the entity managed to share experiences and challenges of both countries on issues related to the regulation of games of luck and chance, the trade bodies of the industry of games of luck and chance such as Fecoljuegos, Asojuegos, and Cornazar, as well as the main operators of the vertical, and representatives of international regulators.
