Colombia’s national gaming authority, Coljuegos, has granted the concession for Keno, a lottery-style game that is expected to result in COP485bn (€107m) in revenues for the country’s health sector over the next five years.
The launch forms part of the government’s ongoing effort to increase transfers to subsidised healthcare while stimulating the country’s gaming industry.
According to Coljuegos President Marco Emilio Hincapié, the introduction of Keno will mark one of the first times a game in a regulated Latin America gambling market has used blockchain technology to issue tickets.
The integration of blockchain is designed to provide enhanced transparency and security, ensuring traceable transactions and reinforcing player confidence.
The concession process was conducted through an open and competitive bidding framework.
Hincapié emphasised that the adjudication was transparent and inclusive, allowing multiple operators to participate.
Four operators were ultimately selected to manage Keno across different regions covering all 32 departments of Colombia, which also recently forced a major increase on player gambling taxes.
The first region, Region One, comprising Arauca, Casanare, Cauca, Chocó, Córdoba, Guainía, Guaviare, Nariño, Sucre, Valle del Cauca, Vaupés and Vichada, will be managed by Operador Regional de Keno S.A.S.
Region Two, including San Andrés, Atlántico, Bolívar, Cesar, Guajira, Magdalena and Norte de Santander, will be operated by Costa Operador Keno S.A.S.
The next, Region Three, covering Antioquia, Caldas, Quindío, Risaralda and Santander, will be managed by Keno Región 3 S.A.S.
Region Four, encompassing Amazonas, Bogotá, Boyacá, Caquetá, Cundinamarca, Huila, Meta, Putumayo and Tolima, will be run by Blinkazar S.A.S.
Preparations now underway
Each operator will soon begin a four-month training and preparation phase prior to the official start of sales in January 2026.
The rollout aims to establish more than 16,000 sales terminals nationwide, expanding accessibility and strengthening the gaming sector’s contribution to the national economy.
Market projections reflect strong expectations for public engagement with the game and a strong financial performance as a result.
The game allows players to choose 10 numbers from one to 80, and compare them to 20 randomly selected balls drawn during each round.
Prizes will depend on the number of matches, with individual bets ranging from COP1,000 (€0.22) to COP20,000 (€4.40), with a maximum potential payout of COP1.68bn (€369,600).
Keno’s format includes frequent draws, held every six to 10 minutes seven days a week, with between 144 and 240 draws daily depending on operator schedules.
The results will be broadcast via digital platforms, including YouTube and official websites.
Coljuegos views this initiative as a pragmatic response to modern gaming demands, merging technology and entertainment to bolster public welfare.
The combination of blockchain integration, high-frequency draws and accessible pricing is expected to elicit strong participation.