The same bill would raise the prize tax on lotteries & betting from 20% to 30%.
The hit
Colombia’s government & Congress began technical talks on 10 November on a bill that would apply 19% VAT to online gambling deposits, according to iGaming Business. Bill 477/2026C, filed by finance minister Miguel Gómez Martínez on 29 October, would tax the deposit itself, not just winnings or revenue.
Why it matters
A VAT on deposits hits bettors directly, since every COP119,000 put down would include COP19,000 in tax before a bet is even placed. Operators, including those based abroad, would be liable once players are Colombian tax residents. Fecoljuegos, representing Betsson, Codere, Wplay & Betano, is preparing a counter-proposal, arguing online & land-based gambling have different structures.
The record
| Prize tax on lotteries & betting | rising from 20% to 30% (Article 52) |
|---|---|
| Slot machine tax base | doubling from 20 to 40 tax value units |
| Deadline for approval in current session | 16 December |
| Prior deposit VAT precedent | 19% applied Feb 2025, expired Dec 2025 |
What happens next
Joint Senate & Chamber committees are expected to debate the bill in the last week of November.
Sources: Colombia online gambling VAT: Congress opens tax bill talks
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