Coljuegos creates a Single Registry of Importers and Marketers to control the entry of slot machines
Summary
Coljuegos, Colombia’s gambling regulator, has established the Single Registry of Importers and Marketers (Registro Único de Importadores y Comercializadores, RIC) to tighten oversight of electronic slot machines (METS) and crack down on illegal gambling. The RIC was created under Resolution 8594/2025 and requires slot machines to be registered before importation starting in 2026. Importers and marketers must register within 45 calendar days from the publication of Resolution 20260001234 (26 January 2026) via a form on Coljuegos’ website, and must inform Coljuegos of the destination of each machine within 10 days of nationalisation. Coljuegos will coordinate with the National Directorate of Taxes and Customs (DIAN) to validate imports and components.
Coljuegos president Marco Emilio Hincapié framed the move as a long-standing need for the land-based sector. For context, land-based gaming contributed COP 378.268 billion to the subsidised health system in 2025 (39% of sector collections), around 109,000 legal slot machines operate across 3,700+ authorised establishments, and METS imports exceeded USD 22.5 million in 2024.
Key Points
- RIC (Registro Único de Importadores y Comercializadores) created by Resolution 8594/2025 to control METS importation and commercialization.
- Slot machines must be registered prior to import from 2026; importers and marketers have 45 calendar days to register following publication of Resolution 20260001234 (26 January 2026).
- Importers must report the destination of each gaming device within 10 days of nationalisation.
- Coljuegos will coordinate with DIAN to validate machine imports and components, aiming to curb illegality and ensure funds reach the public health system.
- Sector context: COP 378.268bn transferred to subsidised health in 2025; ~109,000 legal machines in >3,700 authorised venues; METS imports >USD 22.5m in 2024.
Why should I read this?
This matters if you import, distribute or operate slot machines in Colombia — it’s not just extra paperwork. Registration before import, tight deadlines (45 days to register; 10 days to report) and DIAN checks will affect logistics, compliance costs and how fast machines can be put into service. In short: read this now if you want to avoid surprises and fines.