Casinos in Colombia

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Introduction

In this review, we’ll look at everything from the history of gambling and land-based casino gambling opportunities to the strides Colombia has made to regulate online gambling and provide consumer protections - then we’ll look at the gambling hotspots and which cities might be best for you to visit.

But first…

Let’s take a broad view and a deeper look.

Colombia is situated in the center of South America. Here, you’ll find the Amazon rainforest and everything else from highlands and grasslands to deserts. It is the only country that touches both the Atlantic and Pacific. Colombia is a destination for gamblers with the ability to travel to faraway lands and the ability to get along in diverse social situations and environments. The country's casino scene includes several options from land-based casinos and online sportsbook casinos to pari-mutuel betting on horse races. The Colombian casino regulatory environment is well-ordered covering both online and land-based gambling.

History of Colombian Commercial Casinos and Gambling

Gambling has been going on in Colombia since well before organized gambling was legalized in 1943. The activity is deeply engrained in the country. Card games, cockfighting, and different lotteries have been going on for centuries.

Online gambling is regulated under the Online Gaming Regulation (Agreement 8/2020), which covers all types of gambling. Online operators are required to obtain a license from Coljuegos, the same regulator that oversees land-based casinos. The regulatory framework has changed over time to include different types of gambling like online sports betting and online casinos. 

Legislation and Jurisdiction

Colombia's gambling laws are strict, and they govern not only land-based casinos but online gambling too. However, the authorities do not simply ignore changes in the industry or society and keep up with the changing needs of the populace with an evolving responsible gambling framework and other elements. Coljuegos now has full control over gambling advertisements. Slot machine laws were overhauled in 2024, with an estimated 50,000 illegal machines in operation. As areas of concern are identified and addressed through internal and external processes, the authorities adjust to changes or introduce changes.

Colombia was the first Latin American country to legalize and regulate online gambling…

…paving the way for Argentina and several others including Peru to follow suit. The on-land and online systems are not perfect, and regulatory regimes seldom are, but the pioneers can blaze the jungle for those who follow and other jurisdictions can avoid painful and costly mistakes by paying attention to those who have gone before them.

Popular Spots and Games

Colombia has around 100 licensed casinos and slot halls. Most of them are in the bigger cities like Bogotá, Cartagena, and Medellín. They serve up every kind of game including baccarat, roulette, poker, slots, video bingo, and lottery games. Poker players can find a few dedicated rooms, offering games like Caribbean Stud Poker and Texas Hold'em.

Before we look at a few top spots to gamble, let’s take a look at the city of Medellin...

Medellin has about two dozen casinos and larger-scale gambling halls. It’s the second-largest urban area in Colombia by both population and economy with over 4 million denizens. There are plenty of places to play but most don’t have card games or roulette tables.

It’s not a good bet to jut off to some random area of the city in search of a game, but more popular tourist areas can provide a safe harbor. Two of the top casinos, San Fernando and Gran Casino, are situated near Mall Oviedo within walking distance of each other and Parque Lleras.

Medellin casinos don’t really offer an experience similar in many ways to Las Vegas, but there are still quite a few different types of games to play. Most Medellin casinos don’t seem to offer sportsbetting or craps tables, and the smaller places aren’t really set up for tourists, seeming to cater mostly to locals.

If you do your research by reading reviews you should be able to find blackjack, Texas Hold'em, baccarat, poker, and Roulette.

Common blackjack rules in Medellin state that the dealer hits on a soft 17 and wins on a Blackjack even if the player also has 21. Some tables use automatic shuffling machines, while others deal by hand from a six-deck shoe. The minimum bet typically starts at around $4 per hand, depending on the current exchange rate, but, like almost anywhere else, $5 hands on slow nights are easy enough to find. When the tables fill up, expect the minimum bets to increase too.

Some spots in Medellin are open 24 hours and almost all of them have some type of food options. For rated players interested in high-stakes gambling, markers can be arranged on the casino floor, allowing for a line of credit or cash advance so you don’t need to carry around large amounts of cash. The process usually takes about 30 minutes for approval while you are vetted and fail-safes are put into place.

While Medellin casinos have their own vibe, many of the guidelines above apply to properties in the other major cities.

Let’s take a look at a few small and medium-sized casinos…

Remember, there might be hundreds of places to play, but this is not Las Vegas!

Colombian Casinos

Casino Caribe, Medellín
Casino Caribe is part of the Winner Group. This site is located on 52nd Street in the 24-hour city of Medellín. Casino Caribe is a popular destination for gamblers with a large gaming floor featuring Peruvian cuisine in some of the restaurants. Look for slots, roulette, and poker. The spot is popular among locals and tourists.

Casino Rio, Cartagena
Cartagena is on the coast and this casino is situated on San Martin Avenue. Casino Rio is a local favorite. The casino offers a good selection of games, from slot machines to table games like baccarat and blackjack.

Casino Crown, Bogotá
Casino Crown in Bogotá is operated by Codere, which guarantees a great gambling experience. It’s one of the best-known casinos in Colombia's capital, featuring multiple gaming rooms, including poker rooms, slot machines, and classic table games. Social Media users can visit Codere’s Crown Casinos of Colombia Facebook page to learn more about all of their Colombian casinos.

Casino Hollywood in Medellin has good service, drinks, and food options; Luckia Casino in Bogotá has the biggest poker room in town, and Gran Casino Medellín is worth looking at.

Conclusion

While not many people will make a trip to Colombia for the express purpose of gambling, those visiting for other reasons may want to take in a few games, an evening, or ride a streak as long as it lasts. The industry is well-regulated and the authorities stay abreast of the ever-changing needs of players and providers.

Commercial casinos on land are most likely at a saturation point with a gaming market nearly a century old. Well-established international companies like Codere and Winner Grupo holding their own but growth is still possible in the online gambling segment, even though legacy providers like Codere participate in the market too.