Colombia’s online betting industry is facing a new controversy after Wplay filed a lawsuit against BetPlay before the Superintendence of Industry and Commerce (SIC), accusing its competitor of unfair competition and intellectual property violations. The legal action, initiated by Aquila Global Group, operator of Wplay.co, claims that BetPlay has implemented strategies that distort fair competition and negatively impact the country’s online gaming ecosystem.
The lawsuit, officially registered under case number 25-91263-0-0, was filed on February 27, 2025, in Bogotá. To support its case, Wplay submitted financial records of deposits and wagers, screenshots of BetPlay’s advertising campaigns, evidence of promotional bonuses, concession contracts with Coljuegos, and user complaints regarding VAT application and deposit and withdrawal conditions.
The SIC will now determine whether BetPlay has engaged in practices prohibited under Law 256 of 1996, which outlines offenses such as customer diversion, imitation of competitors, exploitation of another company’s reputation, and inducement to contractual breaches. If the allegations are proven, the ruling could set a significant precedent in Colombia’s gaming regulation.
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The lawsuit comes at a time of rapid expansion for Colombia’s online betting industry. According to DANE and Coljuegos, the market grew by 20% in 2024. Additionally, Fecoljuegos revealed that since 2017, betting operators have contributed over 1.1 trillion pesos to the national economy.
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Currently, BetPlay dominates the sector with more than 50% market share, while Wplay holds 14.55%. The SIC’s decision could reshape the competitive landscape and set a precedent for future legal disputes. In a market where strategy and adaptability are critical, the rules of the game could change irreversibly, favoring only those best prepared for the future. In this dynamic environment, innovation and trust in proven profitability will be key factors for operators seeking secure investments and an unbeatable bet on the industry.
