Coljuegos, Colombia’s national gaming regulator, has officially authorized the nationwide rollout of Keno.
This strategic move aims to transition the Chinese-origin game from the unregulated “grey market” into a fully supervised ecosystem, utilizing a massive infrastructure of 26,000 sales terminals spread across all 32 departments.
The Economics of Regulated Play
The primary driver behind the legalization is fiscal, Coljuegos estimates that Keno could generate more than 500 billion Colombian pesos for the national healthcare system in the short term. Over a five-year horizon, projected sales are expected to exceed 2.3 trillion pesos, providing a critical subsidy for the country’s social welfare programs.
The game operates at a high frequency, with draws occurring every 6 to 10 minutes. Players select 10 numbers from a pool of 80, with stakes ranging from 500 to 20,000 pesos. Results are streamed live via licensed providers, ensuring total transparency through certified random number generators.
Presidential Vision for the Market
Marco Emilio Hincapié, President of Coljuegos, underscored the historical significance of the Keno launch:
“We have created a safe game with an attractive prize plan guaranteed by the state. By playing responsibly and legally, we contribute to improving the health of our compatriots. We expect that in the coming five years, this game will achieve sales above 2.3 trillion pesos and become one of the best options for Colombians”.
By formalizing Keno, Colombia solidifies its reputation as the most mature and structured gaming market in Latin America, demonstrating that effective regulation can turn illicit activity into a public benefit.
