Bolivia's Gambling Regulator Cracks Down While Industry Expands in 2025
Bolivia's gambling regulator, Autoridad de Juegos (AJ), faced a busy year in 2025. By mid-March, the agency had already spent over 90% of its annual budget, focusing on enforcement and industry oversight. Meanwhile, the sector continued to grow, with legal operations expanding alongside crackdowns on illegal gambling.
Early in the year, AJ intensified its efforts against unlicensed gambling. Raids targeted 82 illegal dens, particularly around Cochabamba, where 230 machines were seized and dismantled. These operations formed part of a broader push to regulate Bolivia's fast-growing gambling market, driven largely by retail lotteries and raffles.
In February, reports emerged about match-fixing in Bolivian football. While details remained limited, the issue added pressure on AJ to strengthen oversight across sports betting and related activities. Despite budget constraints, the regulator issued 1,226 local gambling licenses in 2025. However, no public breakdown clarified how many went to business-to-consumer (B2C) operators versus business-to-business (B2B) providers. The agency also did not disclose specific allocation details for its spending, though most funds were directed toward enforcement, lottery regulation, and general industry control. On a positive note, AJ achieved ISO 9001:2015 certification in 2025 after an external audit by ICONTEC. This recognition highlighted improvements in its operational processes. The regulator also distributed 573 million bolivianos (around $82.8 million USD) in prizes through promotions and raffles, reflecting the scale of its licensed activities.
The year saw AJ balancing rapid sector growth with stricter enforcement. Illegal operations faced shutdowns, while licensed gambling—particularly lotteries—continued to thrive. With ISO certification secured and prizes totalling millions paid out, the regulator's role in shaping Bolivia's gambling landscape remains central.
