Coljuegos Unveils the Artificial Intelligence Center to Combat Illegal Online Betting

In a bold move towards modernizing its operations and reinforcing its commitment to combat illegal gambling, Coljuegos, the regulatory authority for games of chance in Colombia, recently inaugurated the Artificial Intelligence Center (CIAC). This progressive initiative is set to enhance the monitoring of illegal online betting activities and facilitate real-time tracking of transactions among the 3,656 licensed gaming establishments throughout the nation.

A Step Towards Technological Modernization

The launch of the CIAC marks the first phase of Coljuegos’ technological modernization process, a critical step in adapting to the digital landscape that has transformed the gambling industry. The event was graced by representatives from 16 authorized online gambling operators, showcasing their joint commitment to a fair gaming environment.

Marco Emilio Hincapié, President of Coljuegos, highlighted the significance of this initiative, stating, “We are inaugurating the first stage of this technological project that seeks to strengthen the surveillance for localized games and to combat illegal betting websites. With this, we continue with our purpose of bringing the entity to the 21st century.”

Advanced Monitoring and Control Capabilities

At the heart of the CIAC lies an intelligent platform for managing and controlling games of chance. This platform allows Coljuegos to monitor the operations of 107,150 electronic slot machines and 16,645 bingo chairs that are legal in the country. The sophisticated system enables real-time tracking of financial transfers from these licensed gaming elements, ensuring that all operations adhere to established regulations.

Combatting Online Illegality

One of the standout features of the CIAC is its control board for illegality on the Internet, developed in collaboration with Kiggu, a cybersecurity expert. This innovative tool allows regulators to pinpoint illicit websites—spanning the surface web, deep web, and darknet—while simultaneously protecting the branding of the authorized online gambling operators against cases of brand duplication.

Additionally, the dashboard provides valuable insights into social media profiles promoting unauthorized gambling activities and monitoring potential cyber threats against legal gaming sites. Hincapié revealed that in the previous year, Coljuegos issued 5,112 blocking orders against unauthorized gambling sites, with expectations to significantly increase this number through the capabilities of the CIAC.

Infrastructure and Operational Monitoring

Apart from tackling illicit online gambling, the CIAC includes a dedicated dashboard for monitoring the technological infrastructure of Coljuegos. This dashboard ensures that operational systems—such as SICOL, the Operator’s Portal, electronic mail, and document management—function optimally. By maintaining a high-performance level across its systems, Coljuegos can respond swiftly to emerging regulatory and operational challenges.

Furthermore, the fourth dashboard focuses on tracking the procedures conducted by licensed gaming operators, which is expected to streamline approval and renewal times for new contracts, enhancing overall efficiency.

Future Prospects and Continued Innovation

Looking ahead, Hincapié announced plans for the next phase of the Artificial Intelligence Center, which will introduce additional real-time monitoring tools for both online betting and terrestrial gaming activities. This commitment to continuous improvement will not only bolster the fight against illegal gambling but will also enhance the protection of resources dedicated to public health and well-being.

“All this will allow us to be at the forefront and guarantee the protection of resources for the health of Colombians,” concluded Hincapié, underscoring the vital role of the CIAC in safeguarding the integrity of the gambling sector.

Conclusion

The inauguration of the CIAC by Coljuegos is a defining step towards the modernization of Colombia’s gaming regulatory framework. By employing advanced artificial intelligence technology, the organization is not just enhancing its operational capabilities but is also paving the way for a more secure and regulated gambling environment. As Colombia steps into the future of gaming, the CIAC stands as a beacon of innovation and commitment to integrity within the sector.