TLDR Colombia introduced a 16% consumption tax on all deposits made to online gambling platforms through Decrees 0240 and 0241 The tax applies every time a player deposits funds into a betting account, not on winnings Deposits made via cash, bank transfers, and crypto assets are all subject to the tax The tax covers both domestic deposits and those made from abroad into Colombian betting accounts Online gambling operators are responsible for collecting the tax and paying it to the government
Colombia has rolled out a new tax targeting online gambling deposits. The government published Decrees 0240 and 0241, which impose a 16% consumption tax on funds deposited into online betting accounts.
The tax applies to all games of chance operated exclusively through the internet. It takes effect the moment a player puts money into a betting account.
Unlike taxes on gambling winnings seen in other countries, this one targets the deposit side. Players are taxed when they fund their accounts, not when they cash out.
Every single deposit triggers the tax. There is no minimum threshold mentioned in the decrees.
The scope of the tax is broad when it comes to payment methods. Cash deposits, bank transfers, and crypto asset deposits are all covered under the new rules.
Crypto Deposits Fall Under the Same Tax Rules
The inclusion of crypto assets is worth paying attention to. Colombia has been seeing growing use of digital currencies, and the government is making clear that crypto deposits into gambling platforms will not escape taxation.
This puts crypto on equal footing with traditional payment methods under the new framework. There is no special exemption or different rate for digital asset deposits.
The tax also reaches beyond Colombia’s borders. Deposits made from abroad into a Colombian betting account are subject to