Key Moments:
- Colombian regulator Coljuegos has partnered with ISPs to directly block over 28,000 illegal gambling websites under a new directive issued in 2025.
- Mexico’s football authority imposed bans totaling 57 years on seven players for match-fixing and player betting, following a major scandal.
- Brazil has blocked more than 18,000 unlicensed gambling sites since late 2024 as its newly regulated market gains momentum.
Colombia Strengthens Oversight Through Direct Website Blocking
Colombia has stepped up its enforcement against illegal online gambling by granting its national regulator, Coljuegos, the authority to work directly with internet service providers. This initiative, prompted by a directive released in 2025 by the Ministry of Information Technologies and Communications (MinTic), has empowered the regulator to expedite the process of ordering blocks against unauthorized platforms without lengthy bureaucratic involvement from multiple ministries.
The regulator has so far ordered the removal of more than 28,000 illegal gambling websites, highlighting the extensive scale of the issue. A notable target was Polymarket, a crypto-based prediction site, which was found non-compliant with Colombian law and subsequently blocked nationwide. Coljuegos clarified that services labeled as “prediction markets” are regarded as gambling activities and must therefore comply with licensing and tax obligations.
Colombia’s licensed market currently consists of 14 authorized operators—among them Betsson, Rushbet, and Betplay—who so far this year have contributed over COP 257 billion (€56.5 million) to healthcare initiatives and COP 783 billion (€172.3 million) through VAT payments. Officials maintain that eliminating unauthorized operators is crucial for ensuring that legal operators continue to provide vital support for public services.
“The idea is to make sure that when people bet, their money goes to the right place — not to unregulated websites that pay nothing back into society,”
said an official close to the regulator.
Mexico Responds to Major Match-Fixing Scandal
Mexico is grappling with a match-fixing controversy that has rocked the nation’s football community. The Mexican Football Federation (FMF) disclosed findings from an internal investigation, revealing that several lower league players, primarily from Real Apodaca FC and Correcaminos de la UAT, had both wagered on and actively manipulated the outcomes of their games for personal gain.
As a consequence, seven players were handed bans amounting to a collective 57 years, with some facing prohibitions from professional play lasting as long as sixteen years. Alongside these sanctions, the FMF has initiated a criminal complaint with the Attorney General’s Office (FGR) to determine the potential breach of national laws and informed FIFA to guarantee the reach of these bans at the international level.
To deter future incidents, the FMF, in collaboration with the Mexican Association of Footballers (AMFPRO), has introduced integrity workshops aimed at educating players about the legal and ethical risks associated with betting. There is also momentum building toward legislative reforms that would enhance penalties related to match manipulation.
Separately, the Mexican government issued a statement rejecting any connection between domestic criminal groups and betting operations under investigation in Paraguay by Montego Trading S.A., stating that there was “no evidence whatsoever” supporting such links.
Brazil Launches Aggressive Action Against Unlicensed Operators
Brazil has adopted a proactive stance in targeting illegal gambling activities. Since late 2024, coordinated efforts between the National Telecommunications Agency (Anatel) and the Secretariat of Prizes and Betting (SPA) have led to the blocking of more than 18,000 unlicensed websites, with over 15,000 blocks occurring in just the first half of 2025. This campaign aligns with the debut of Brazil’s new legal sports betting framework, under which 79 operators now hold licenses.
In addition to website blocking, authorities have turned their focus to disrupting financial transactions. Between January and June, financial institutions flagged 277 suspicious transactions and terminated 255 accounts associated with illegal betting networks. The SPA is collaborating with banks and payment providers to freeze assets and cut off funding avenues to unauthorized operators.
| Metric | Jan – Jun (2025) |
|---|---|
| Licensed Operators | 79 |
| Unlicensed Sites Blocked | 18,000+ |
| Suspicious Transaction Reports | 277 |
| Closed Accounts Linked to Illegal Betting | 255 |
Brazilian authorities are also implementing harm-minimization measures, such as a national self-exclusion system and enhanced risk assessment tools for identifying problematic gambling behavior. Programs are under development by the Ministry of Health and Fiocruz to equip healthcare professionals with skills to diagnose and treat gambling addiction.
Latin America’s Market Shifts Toward Compliance
The recent measures in Colombia, Mexico, and Brazil signal a regional pivot towards comprehensive regulation of the gambling industry, with a shared focus on consumer protection, market integrity, and public revenue. While challenges remain for regulators—such as site re-emergence and the complexities introduced by cryptocurrencies—a new era defined by stricter oversight and accountability is emerging across Latin America. For the first time, regulatory frameworks are shaping industry growth, setting a precedent for transparency and sustainability in the gaming sector as the region moves into 2026.
- Author
Daniel Williams
