A major legal challenge has dealt a setback to Colombia’s gambling regulator after the country’s Council of State temporarily suspended several advertising rules that had applied to licensed online gaming operators since 2023.
The court’s decision targets parts of Coljuegos Resolution 20231000019054, a framework introduced to regulate advertising, sponsorship, promotion and other commercial communications by online gambling operators. The suspension follows a lawsuit filed by Sora Lawyers, which argued that several provisions exceeded the regulator’s legal authority and created uncertainty for businesses operating under Colombian licences.
After reviewing the request for precautionary measures, the court concluded there were sufficient grounds to halt the contested provisions while the broader legal case proceeds. The ruling does not strike down the regulations permanently but prevents their enforcement until a final judgment is reached.
Among the measures put on hold are limits on how much licensed operators can spend on advertising and marketing activities. The court also suspended requirements that forced operators to submit annual advertising investment plans to Coljuegos and provide evidence supporting those expenditures.
In addition, the ruling freezes provisions that allowed the regulator to reject concession contracts based on factors linked to trademarks, advertising activities or service providers associated with operators. Restrictions requiring prior regulatory approval for certain share acquisitions in concessionaire companies have also been suspended.
Legal experts involved in the case argue that the disputed rules raised concerns regarding economic freedoms, access to confidential business information, shareholder rights and the legal basis for imposing sanctions and restrictions.
The decision is being viewed as one of the most significant legal developments for Colombia’s online gambling sector in recent years. Industry observers say it has reopened the debate over the extent of Coljuegos’ regulatory powers and whether certain obligations should be established through legislation rather than administrative resolutions.
The regulator still has the option to challenge the ruling as the judicial process continues. Meanwhile, licensed operators will be able to operate without the suspended advertising restrictions until the court reaches a final decision.
The case comes at a time when Colombia’s gambling market continues to expand rapidly. Industry studies have shown that gambling-related activity has grown significantly faster than the country’s overall economy since the pandemic, with online betting expected to remain a major driver of future growth.