Colombia gambling contributed $220M to health in H1
In the first half of the year, gambling games in Colombia transferred nearly USD 220 million to the health system, consolidating their role as a key source of funding for the sector. According to official data, around COP 566,563 million (USD 140.5 million) came from national games, which include localized, innovative, raffles, and promotional games, all licensed by Coljuegos. This figure represents an increase of 26.9% compared to the same period last year, reflecting the dynamism and growth of the sector.
On the other hand, territorial games, such as chance, lottery, and Raspa&Listo, distributed throughout the country, contributed COP 317,359 million (USD 78.7 million) to finance the subsidized health system. This amount represents a 7% increase (COP 21,522 million) compared to the first half of 2024. The performance of the lotteries remains satisfactory, with a 5% increase in sales from January to June compared to last year, according to Marco Emilio Hincapié, a sector executive.
Of the total resources transferred, COP 137,324 million correspond to the 15 lotteries administered by the departments. Bogotá, Huila, and the Extraordinary Draw of Colombia stood out for the greatest increase in health transfers during the first half, while the lotteries of Boyacá and Medellín were the ones that paid the most prizes to bettors.
The National Congress of Lotteries and Distributors, held in Risaralda with the support of Governor Juan Diego Patiño, brought together more than 100 attendees from Coljuegos, Andelote, Extradec, and the Risaralda Lottery to analyze growth strategies and increase resources transferred to health. During the event, the head of Coljuegos presented distinctions to the lottery managers in recognition of their work benefiting the health of Colombia’s most needy citizens.
Among the awards given were: the Cundinamarca Lottery as the oldest in the country; the Medellín Lottery for recording the highest sales in the first half of 2024-2025; the Bogotá Lottery for the greatest growth in health transfers; the Boyacá Lottery for the highest value of prizes paid in 2025; and the Extraordinary Draw of Colombia for its contribution to the different lotteries in the country. Additionally, a special recognition was given to the Red Cross Lottery for its 110 years of history and its contribution to health.
Bibiana Garcés González, manager of the Risaralda Lottery and host of the Congress, highlighted the importance of the event to address the sector’s challenges: “This is an event designed to put on the table the different issues that challenge us. We are proud to welcome entities such as Coljuegos and the National Council of Games of Chance and Gambling to our region, as well as the managers and distributors from across the country who work every day to increase transfers for health.”
In the remainder of the Congress, presentations will be made on the growth and commercial expansion of territorial games, corporate social responsibility, and the challenges in technological innovation for lottery sales, key topics for the future of the sector and its impact on health financing in Colombia.
Tags: Colombia, betting, lottery, scratch and win, Coljuegos, taxes