Key Moments:
- Coljuegos established a dedicated Judicial Police Unit through Resolution No. 20250022644 on October 6, 2025.
- The new Unit enables Coljuegos to conduct direct criminal investigations in cooperation with the Office of the Attorney General.
- The initiative aims to protect public healthcare funds by clamping down on illegal gambling operations nationwide.
Strategic Expansion of Regulatory Powers
Coljuegos has strengthened its efforts to protect the integrity of the games-of-chance sector. It did so by creating a Judicial Police Unit. The Unit was formalized through Resolution No. 20250022644 on October 6, 2025. It aims to improve actions against illegal gambling. In turn, this helps protect the public resources that support Colombia’s healthcare system.
Robust Tools for Law Enforcement
With this Unit, Coljuegos can now exercise judicial police powers. It may intervene directly in criminal investigations, although always under the Attorney General’s coordination. This change allows Coljuegos to independently gather evidence. It can also perform technical inspections, conduct digital forensics, and carry out interviews. Previously, these tasks required outside support.
The Unit is structured under the Vice Presidency of Operations, featuring a multidisciplinary team proficient in illegal operation control, financial oversight, technical analysis, and legal matters. Their primary focus is swift response to any suspicious activity reported within the gaming ecosystem, minimizing the risk of public funds being diverted or compromised.
Interagency Coordination and Sector Integrity
In addition to independently handling investigations, the Judicial Police Unit works closely with other public agencies, above all the Office of the Attorney General. This collaboration supports the monopoly model for games of chance in Colombia, where legal gambling revenue directly supports the nation’s subsidized healthcare.
| Main Responsibilities | Operational Focus |
|---|---|
| Evidence gathering and preservation | Swift response to illegal activity reports |
| Criminal investigations | Coordination with Attorney General’s Office |
| Technical inspections and forensic analysis | Comprehensive oversight and enforcement |
Principles and Goals Guiding the Initiative
The resolution establishing this Unit is grounded on principles such as human dignity, adherence to legal norms, impartiality, efficient operations, specialized technical investigation, and timeliness. Coljuegos President Marco Emilio Hincapié emphasized that these values underpin the drive for stricter control, increased transparency, and uncompromising action against illicit gambling.
According to Hincapié, the goal is to enable professional evidence management, broaden territorial coverage, and deliver decisive responses to those undermining the regulated gaming sector. The Unit’s creation reflects Coljuegos’s ongoing commitment to upholding the legitimacy and sustainability of games of chance, ensuring state-run gaming revenues benefit Colombian healthcare.
Industry Impact and Regulatory Significance
The Judicial Police Unit’s introduction represents a new standard for regulatory enforcement within Colombia’s gaming market. By equipping Coljuegos with investigative authority and technical capability, the regulator reinforces its determination to counter illegal gambling and maintain robust oversight across the sector. This strategic move not only bolsters public confidence but also guarantees that the societal benefits derived from legal gaming remain protected and efficiently allocated.
- Author
Daniel Williams
