The advances in the fight against money laundering and the challenges on this front, now that the new technologies widen the spectrum in which it is possible to move greater amounts of resources, make transactions of all kinds and further develop the gambling industry.
For this reason, José Manuel Restrepo, Minister of Finance, was emphatic in emphasizing the Government's commitment to fight, on all fronts, this crime which causes serious damage to the country and its economy, for which not only regulations have been issued, but also a road map has been established in Conpes 4042.
He also pointed out that 2,709,910 USD are available to consolidate this roadmap, which seeks to dismantle those organizations that profit from this scourge and combat it in all its manifestations.
Restrepo highlighted the work of this industry, which turned around the reputation of a sector that today is a world example, and that, in addition, contributes great resources to health and the economy, and is a great generator of employment, with at least 200,000 jobs.
In 2019, this line item contributed 1.7 billion Colombian pesos (442333.954 USD) to the Nation, and although in 2020 the value was 1.22 Colombian billion (312.235 USD), a significant contribution is expected this year.
On his part, Hernando José Gómez, president of Asobancaria, highlighted the importance of continuing to bank the operators of online games, but said that for this it is necessary to modify the regulation that establishes, as a requirement for the granting of concessions, to accredit a bank account certification in the name of the applicant company with an antiquity of at least six months.
Finally, Juan Carlos Restrepo Escobar, president of Asojuegos, the association that represents the gaming industry in the country, said that academic events such as Laft America have contributed to keep the companies of the sector updated and trained through different meetings inside and outside the country, which have been fundamental for them to have a great prestige today.
President Iván Duque assured that the gambling sector is a direct contributor to the social welfare of the country, since thanks to the resources it generates, a good part of health, education and many social initiatives are financed.
"We have to see this sector as dynamic and strategic within the economy. It is an important generator of employment and at the same time it fulfills many of its functions of being an instrument for money transfers in a country with such a complex geography as ours and also being non-bank correspondents so that we have financial inclusion", said Duque.
