President Gustavo Petro's Government has issued a decree imposing a new national tax on online gambling operations as part of a broader package of emergency fiscal measures.
 

Key Points

Colombia's Government has established a 16% national consumption tax on games of chance operated exclusively online, citing the sector's strong revenue growth and taxpaying capacity

The decree forms part of a set of extraordinary fiscal measures issued under an economic emergency declaration following severe flooding across several regions of the country
 

The Colombian Government issued Decree 0240, introducing a 16% consumption tax on online gambling operations as part of an emergency fiscal package aimed at funding disaster relief in regions affected by heavy rainfall and flooding.

The measure applies specifically to games of chance offered through internet platforms. In the decree, the Government argued that the online gambling sector demonstrates strong revenue performance and taxpaying capacity, noting sustained growth in gross gaming revenue as justification for the new levy.

According to the decree, authorities consider the sector capable of absorbing additional taxation without significant disruption to market activity. The measure was introduced after the Government acknowledged that the 2026 national budget contains limited provisions for large-scale disaster response, citing existing fiscal constraints and the failure of two financing bills in Congress.

The tax was formally introduced as part of a broader set of emergency economic measures adopted by President Gustavo Petro's administration following the declaration of a national economic emergency linked to climate-related disasters. 

Authorities said the decree is intended to generate immediate fiscal resources to support reconstruction efforts and emergency assistance in affected regions.

In addition to the gambling tax, the emergency decree includes a series of temporary fiscal measures aimed at raising revenue. These include a transitional wealth normalization tax and adjustments to the existing wealth tax framework targeting taxpayers with undeclared assets.

The decree also introduces temporary mechanisms allowing certain taxpayers in arrears as of December 31, 2025, to settle outstanding obligations with reduced penalties if payments are completed before April 30.

 

 

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