Fecoljuegos Chief Urges Evidence-Based Regulation

The president of Fecoljuegos, Evert Montero Cárdenas, has expressed concern over the direction of Colombia’s public debate on gambling regulation, arguing that it is increasingly shaped by perception rather than technical analysis.

Writing in La República, Montero said policy discussions frequently rely on incomplete data, limited understanding of the sector’s economic structure and political considerations instead of evidence-based evaluation. He warned that such an approach poses risks to an industry that contributes to Colombia’s healthcare system and broader formal economy.

Montero stressed that licensed operators function within a tightly controlled framework, complying with reporting obligations, auditing standards, anti-money laundering rules, consumer safeguards and responsible gaming requirements.

He also highlighted what he described as a recurring misunderstanding in public discourse: the confusion between total wagers placed and actual operator revenue. According to Montero, around 95% of the total amount bet is returned to players as winnings, leaving roughly 5% to cover operating expenses, licensing and regulatory fees, technology, staffing, taxes and mandatory healthcare contributions.

In his view, the gaming sector operates on a finely balanced financial model designed to sustain business activity while ensuring state revenue collection. Regulatory decisions that overlook this structure, he cautioned, could significantly disrupt the formal market’s viability.

Beyond economic misconceptions, Montero pointed to legal and tax uncertainty as structural challenges. Frequent regulatory adjustments without comprehensive technical study, he argued, create instability that complicates investment planning and weakens competitiveness compared to jurisdictions with more predictable frameworks.

He further warned that excessive regulation and slow product approvals may unintentionally strengthen illegal operators. When licensed offerings cannot evolve in step with market demand, unregulated platforms step in, he said, operating without tax obligations, consumer protections or responsible gaming safeguards.

Montero concluded by calling for stability, proportionality, and data-driven policymaking. A technically sound and financially sustainable regulated market, he argued, is better positioned to generate public revenue, support employment and protect consumers than one undermined by uncertainty or displaced by illegal alternatives.