SBC News Voice of the Sports Betting Industry
After major lottery controversies across Europe and Africa, the fiascos now span across South America. The latest to be questioned is Colombia’s Medellín Lottery.
The Colombian National Council for Games of Luck and Chance (CNJSA), a state body advising on gambling policies, has cooperated with the gambling regulator, Coljuegos, to launch an audit into the Medellín Lottery, which is run by the state of Antioquia.
Investigations will focus on the May jackpot draw of COP 16bn (£3m), which was won by Luisa Jaramillo – the wife of then-Deputy Manager of the lottery, Rubén Callejas.
Not only was the winner controversial, but they were also announced almost immediately after the draw was officially broadcasted. Within hours of the press picking up on the potential conflict of interest, Callejas submitted his resignation but is yet to publicly comment on the matter.
This however hasn’t stopped Colombia President Gustavo Petro from chiming in. He shared the story on Twitter with his 8.2 million followers, saying: “Is this true? Disciplinary and criminal courts should provide us with information.”
A delegation from the CNJSA, led by Technical Secretary Roberto Conde Romero, has been authorised by Coljuegos President Marco Emilio Hincapié Ramírez to conduct an in-person inspection of the Medellín Lottery headquarters.
“Officials will travel to the city of Medellín to give clarity to citizens about the conditions in which this draw was carried out,” the CNJSA said in a statement.
The controversy comes at a turbulent time for the Colombian gambling market, with a budget proposal due by the end of July where the Ministry of Finance will attempt to maintain a 19% VAT levy introduced as a temporary measure to stabilise inflation rates.
