Colombia: Keno blockchain launch, multi-million public health
April 1, 2026, marks a before and after in Colombia's entertainment catalog with the official start of Keno operations throughout the national territory. Under the direct supervision of Coljuegos, this ancient game of chance arrives in the regulated market with the ambition to transform not only the prize offerings for bettors but also the financing of social welfare in the country. Marco Emilio Hincapié, president of the regulatory entity, has highlighted that this launch represents a milestone for the industry, allowing a format that operated for years informally to now become a legal engine of resources for the healthcare system.
The economic projections for this new vertical are highly optimistic, estimating that Keno will contribute close to 500 billion pesos to the subsidized health system during its first five years of activity. With a distribution network exceeding 26,000 sales terminals strategically distributed across the country's 32 departments, the game seeks total capillarity to achieve sales exceeding 2.3 trillion pesos in the next five years. This massification will be supported by four authorized operators, who will offer highly accessible tickets ranging from 500 to 20,000 Colombian pesos.
One of the most disruptive elements of this implementation is the use of blockchain technology for ticket issuance. This measure positions Colombia as a benchmark in security and transparency within Latin America, ensuring that every bet is immutable and verifiable for the user. The game's operation invites the bettor to choose 10 numbers from a universe of 80, while a random generator selects 20 numbers to determine the winning matches. The agility of the format is another of its great attractions, with draws scheduled every 6 or 10 minutes, depending on the region, which can also be followed in real-time through streaming broadcasts.
The origin of Keno dates back to ancient China, and its transition to full legality in Colombia responds to an institutional effort to channel existing demand towards state-controlled channels. By formalizing this game, authorities not only offer an attractive prize plan for the public but also ensure that every peso wagered has a direct return on the quality of life of citizens. Hincapié has made an emphatic call to users to participate only at authorized points, reminding them that playing legally is the only way to guarantee institutional support and effective contribution to the healthcare system for Colombians.
Tags: Coljuegos, Colombia, Colombia Keno