Colombia's gambling trade body Fecoljuegos is preparing a technical proposal in response to tax changes in the government's Economic Rescue Bill. The organisation wants lawmakers to distinguish between digital operators and land-based casinos and bingo halls when assessing new obligations.
The government filed the reform package on October 29. One provision would apply the standard 19% value-added tax to gambling conducted exclusively online, using deposits into player accounts as the proposed tax base.
Fecoljuegos says the two channels have different cost structures, operating requirements and existing contributions. It plans to take its analysis to the Ministry of Finance and the economic committees of Congress, according to SBC Noticias.
The industry response does not change the bill by itself. La República reports that the federation is seeking a technical discussion during the legislative process, which must still determine the final rate, base and treatment of each gambling channel.
