Over the past few weeks, Colombia’s casino sector has been operating under unusual tension. Much of it stems from the debate around the reliability framework for electronic gaming machines (METs) and, in particular, the possibility that the regulator might shorten timelines and tighten requirements at a time when many operators are not operationally prepared for an accelerated transition. That mix—regulatory uncertainty plus uneven readiness—often triggers rushed decisions that benefit no one: not operators, not players, and not the long-term stability of public contributions.
Against this backdrop, an industry association shared a “reassurance update” following a meeting with Coljuegos on 22 December 2025. It is important to be precise: this is not an official statement. Still, it offers useful signals about the tone of the conversation. It appears that concerns about moving the homologation schedule forward by more than five years were raised strongly, and it seems plausible that the most workable path is one of technical working groups and coordinated adjustments, rather than a sudden implementation.
Beyond the calendar, the message is practical: the biggest operational risk for many licensees is not a headline—it is inventory hygiene and connectivity evidence. According to the meeting summary, omissions or inconsistencies could place the 12% variable rate at risk and shift equipment to a fixed-fee regime, with direct cash-flow impact. The same summary reiterates a critical point: there is an intention to respect the current machine fleet of the 417 legal operators, because those assets underpin significant resources for the country. And if the draft were applied strictly as written, over 85% of the installed base (the figure cited is 110,641 authorised devices) could be affected by certifications and requirements that are difficult to meet immediately.
That is why the most sensible recommendation today is not “run,” but organise. Treat this period as an internal control exercise: verify NUC/NUID, brand, model and serial details; confirm that every unit is transmitting correctly; fix machines reporting “zero”; and document corrective actions. If a regulatory adjustment arrives later, an operator does not start from scratch—it starts with a house in order.
From Mundo Video®, our approach is clear and constructive: our products have been homologated for more than 10 years, and we remain fully available to complete and support any processes Coljuegos may eventually request, under the timelines and technical terms that apply. More than advocating for decisions, our role is to stand alongside operators with clarity and support. Mundo Video® has worked with the industry for years—across homologation, technical service, connectivity and compliance—and we will continue to do so with the same commitment. The priority is an orderly, sustainable path forward: operational continuity for casinos, confidence for investors, and realistic options for every operator to adapt when the authority defines the final direction—without improvisation or unnecessary costs.
The industry needs an unbeatable route: technical dialogue, realistic schedules, and prepared operators. If those elements hold, the outcome—for businesses, consumers and the State—will look far more like a safe investment than a manufactured crisis.
