Best 10 eSports Bookmakers in Colombia 2023 🇨🇴

History of eSports Betting in Colombia

Another reason for the booming of the industry is the pandemic. At the height of the lockdowns, gamblers didn't have any live matches to bet on. So operators started tapping into alternative markets. There were virtual sports but eSports was the real deal as it has that human touch. Within no time, wagering on electronic sports became popular as there were plenty of markets to gamble on.

To understand the history of eSports betting in this Latin nation, it's essential first to grasp the history of gambling. Gambling in this country has been around for decades. There have been many brick-and-mortar establishments offering punters a wide range of gambling options, from casino games to bingo and even sports betting.

The Age of eSports Betting

Regarding online sports betting, bettors were wagering online as early as 2010. However, eSports betting was not popular at the time.

While sports betting has been around for decades, it's only recently that eSports betting cropped up. It is hard to pinpoint when video game gambling started. But it most likely began gaining traction when eSports gambling went full blast around 2010.

There could have been a few punters wagering on the competitive eSports at the time. But then, the game changed after the legalization of online sports betting in 2016. It was at this time that many sportsbooks, including the household names, started focusing on the country's online gambling industry, offering both traditional and eSports betting markets.

Before the pandemic, eSports betting was still not widespread in Colombia. But bookmakers had to find an alternative for bettors after the cancellation of live matches during the lockdowns. Virtual sports were not sufficient, so operators turned to eSports on a full scale.

It was at this time that eSports betting took root in the country's gaming industry. Many punters, including the eSports fans and the regular gamblers, switched to eSports betting as it was the only option.

Esports Nowadays in Colombia

Today, eSports betting is famous in Colombia, now that the country has eSports enthusiasts, eSports teams, events, tournaments, and renowned pro players. Unfortunately, there are no hard statistics on the number of eSports bettors. However, with the many eSports sites, it's safe to say that electronic sports wagering accounts for a sizable share of the total sports betting sales.

The Future of eSports Betting in Colombia

There's no doubt that eSports is a big industry today and as long as it's growing, expect the eSports betting industry also to expand proportionally. The eSports betting industry in this country is expected to grow just like the industry is increasing worldwide. But the big question is, what are the dynamics that will shape the future of the eSports betting industry?

Esports Betting is Growing Globally

First, is the fact that eSports betting itself is growing globally. According to recent statistics, the eSports betting industry is estimated to be worth $11200 million in 2022 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 13.7% between 2022 and 2028. Definitely, as the industry advances in other countries, so will it in this country.

Internet Penetration

Another factor that will undoubtedly shape the industry is the high internet penetration. Colombia has one of the highest penetration rates in South America. In 2020, nearly 70% of the population had access to the internet.

Esports Bonuses

Perhaps the most significant dynamic that will spur the growth of electronic sports gambling in this country is the lucrative bonuses. To popularize electronic sports gambling and attract players, operators have custom-tailored bonuses for eSports punters. For example, players can claim free eSports bets, welcome bonuses, deposit bonuses, etc.

Availability of eSports Sportsbooks

Last is the availability of some of the best eSports bookies. Unlike in the past, when there were only a few sportsbooks, today, the country has plenty of options with electronic sports gambling markets. What's more? There are hundreds of events going on at any time, so players will always have something to bet on.

Are eSports Bookmakers Legal in Colombia?

Now, on to another important aspect, what is the legal landscape of eSports betting in this Latin American country? Is eSports betting legal or not? Well, it is essential to understand whether or not the government allows eSports betting, considering it is an emerging market.

Esports Legislation in Colombia

Betting on eSports is legal. Initially, the laws never covered online betting, but a recent law introduced in 2016 made all forms of sports betting, including eSports betting, legal.

The Coljuegos is the body responsible for overseeing all electronic sports gambling activity. Its mandate is to issue licenses to sportsbook operators offering eSports betting markets and ensure they abide by the country's gambling laws.

Gambling Age

Another vital aspect to be aware of is the gambling age. While young people play most electronic sports at the professional level, make no mistake assuming that they can also bet. There is a gambling age limit set at 18.

That said, even though there are under-18s participating in professional eSports competitions, they can't gamble. It's the sole responsibility of operators to ensure all registered players on their site are above the age of 18.

Taxation

Unlike many countries that tax players, Colombia does not impose any taxes. That means punters can keep all the money they win. This is something that makes players prefer gambling on the Coljuegos licensed sites. However, for operators, there are mandatory taxes. There is a 15% tax paid to the government and a 1% tax paid to Coljuegos.

Offshore/Unlicensed Sportsbooks

The other vital discussion is on offshore sites not licensed by Coljuegos. The elephant in the room is, can players gamble on such sites?

Well, according to the law, it is illegal for citizens to play on any site not licensed by the Coljuegos. The government has not yet prosecuted anyone playing on unlicensed sites, but it works overtime to ensure the sites are not accessible to its citizens.

Some time back, Coljuegos oversaw the censoring of over 300 sites that were illegally offering gambling services to players. But this is an exercise in futility as 300 sites is a drop in the ocean considering there are many upcoming platforms. More so, some players deploy VPNs to access international sites even if they have been blocked.

Betting Acts in Colombia

Several laws have been enacted in this country. However, the most important one that touches on electronic sports wagering is the eGaming Act 2016.

Initially, there were no laws covering internet gaming, so players were free to join any site. However, the eGaming Act 2016 made internet gaming legal as long as the operators applied for licensing from Coljuegos. The act also banned gambling on internet sites that didn't have the Coljuegos license.

Colombian Players' Favorite esports

In this segment, check out the popular electronic sports punters gamble on, the most prominent teams they wager on, and the top eSports events that operators cover.

Favorite Esports Games

As said earlier, electronic Sports are popular in this Latin American country. There are fans of all video games popular in the competitive eSports scene.

Players can wager on the top first-person shooter (FPS) games; for example, Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare, Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Siege, Valorant, Halo Infinite, Quake, Battlefield, and Overwatch.

There are also many multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) games to bet on. The list includes League of Legends (LoL), Dota 2, Smite, Heroes of the Storm, Vainglory, and Arena of Valor.

Fans of real-time strategy (RTS) are not left out as bookies also have markets for games such as StarCraft and WarCraft.

Last on the list is sports simulation games. Bettors can put their money on games such as FIFA, NBA2K, and PES.

Favorite esports Teams

There are so many eSports teams in this country. The list includes Team One LA, Loto Gaming, Chi Army, and Max Tigers, just to mention a few. However, these teams are not so active and are not powerhouses that can compete in the top global tournaments. For that reason, it's hard to find them in most sportsbooks.

Instead, it's the big boys that most bettors wager on. These are the top teams in the game, for example, Team Liquid, Fnatic, Team Vitality, OG, Team SoloMid, FaZe Clan, Team Secret, and 100 Thieves, just to mention a few.

Favorite Esports Tournaments

Unfortunately, there are not so many competitive tournaments organized regularly in this country. But that doesn't mean punters have no games or matches to wager on. The few events scheduled in Colombia include Expo Esports, Infinity Esports, Circuito Nacional Opening, and Golden League Closing.

The most popular tournaments that top sportsbooks offer include the regional and international competitions such as Fortnite World Cup, FIFA Interactive World Cup, Intel Extreme Masters, Major League Gaming Pro Circuit, Dota Major Championships, League of Legends World Championship, RLCS: Rocket League World Championships, The Six Invitational, Blast Premier Spring Showdown, and Dreamhack Winter among others.

These are the most competitive tournaments globally and attract the top teams and talent from across the globe.

Esports Betting Payment Methods in Colombia

The majority of betting sites in this country are real money sites. This means that players must have real money in their accounts to place bets. So, the question to ask here is, what are the available currencies? How about the available banking methods? The other pertinent question is regarding security.

Currencies

The peso (COP) is the default currency on many local sites. However, the international betting sites licensed in the country may have other options, for example, the US dollar (USD), Canadian dollar (CAD), euro (EUR), British pound (GBP), and so on.

This is to cater to players who may be just visiting the country or residents not well acquainted with the local currency. Besides fiat money currencies, some sites accept bitcoin (BTC) and other cryptos, for example, Litecoin (LTC), Bitcoin Cash (BCH), etc.

Banking

Regarding deposit methods and withdrawals, the local sites have partnered with Via Baloto, Tpaga, and Daviplata, three popular local banking options. Other options include Visa, Mastercard, PayPal, Efecty, Dimonex, and Skrill, just to mention a few.

Security

Regarding security, there is nothing to worry about as most sites have been secured using the latest state-of-the-art encryption technologies.

FAQs

Is esports betting legal in Colombia?

Yes. Electronic sports wagering is allowed as long as punters wager on sites licensed by Coljuegos, the country's organization that is in charge of gambling.

Are there electronic sports betting sites in Colombia?

Yes. The country has some of the best eSports bookies. There are several locally licensed ones alongside international platforms.

Can punters be prosecuted for playing at unlicensed sites?

According to the law, playing at unlicensed betting sites is illegal. However, no players have been prosecuted for playing at such sites.

Are electronic sports games fixed?

While it's possible to fix electronic Sports matches, games on the best eSports bookmakers have been thoroughly assessed to ensure they are fair, just like live matches in traditional sports.

Do lucky winners have to pay tax?

No. The advantage of betting on licensed sportsbooks is that winners don't have to pay taxes, so they can keep all the amount won. However, operators have to remit taxes.

Can anyone wager on esports?

No. Bettors must have attained the age of 18 to gamble legally in this South American country.

Most Popular eSports Bookies in Colombia