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WHY YOU NEED AN ALTERNATIVE
bet365 doesn't operate in Colombia. Despite what many affiliate sites claim, bet365 has never obtained a Coljuegos license and doesn't accept Colombian residents. If you're an American expat in Colombia expecting to use your familiar bet365 interface, you'll need to find something else.
The good news: Colombia has excellent alternatives. Several international operators with English interfaces and quality comparable to bet365 are fully licensed by Coljuegos. Here are the best options for American expats.
1. BETSSON - BEST OVERALL
Betsson is the closest thing to bet365 available in Colombia. Swedish operator, publicly traded, 60+ years in business. Same polish and professionalism as bet365, full English interface, excellent US sports coverage. If you're missing bet365, Betsson fills the gap.
Join Betsson Colombia →18+ | Coljuegos Licensed | Gamble Responsibly
Why Betsson is #1
- International credibility: Founded 1963, publicly traded on Nasdaq Stockholm
- English quality: Native-level English, not awkward translations
- US sports depth: Comprehensive NFL, NBA, MLB markets with props
- Expat-friendly: Accepts passport verification, understands foreign customers
- No negative carryover: Affiliate term—bad months don't carry forward
2. STAKE - BEST FOR CRYPTO
Stake is the solution for expats who can't open Colombian bank accounts. Deposit with Bitcoin, Ethereum, or USDT—no PSE, no Nequi, no local banking required. Instant withdrawals (minutes, not days) and bet in USD-equivalent with stablecoins.
Join Stake Colombia →18+ | Coljuegos Licensed | Crypto Only | Gamble Responsibly
Why Stake Works for Expats
- No local bank needed: Buy crypto on Coinbase, deposit to Stake
- Instant withdrawals: Funds in your wallet within minutes
- USD stability: Use USDT to avoid peso exposure
- Passport OK: No cédula required for verification
3. CODERE - BEST BONUS + RETAIL
Codere has the easiest bonus terms in Colombia—just 1x rollover at minimum odds of 2.00. They also have physical betting shops across Colombia where you can deposit/withdraw cash. Interface is Spanish-primary, but Google Translate handles it.
Join Codere Colombia →18+ | Coljuegos Licensed | Gamble Responsibly
Codere's Advantage
- 1x rollover: Bet your deposit+bonus once at 2.00+ odds to unlock
- Cash deposits: Walk into Efecty, deposit cash, funds appear instantly
- Retail locations: Physical shops for cash withdrawals
- Spanish knowledge helpful: Interface is Spanish-first
FULL COMPARISON
| Feature | Betsson | Stake | Codere | Wplay |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| English Interface | ✓ Full | ✓ Full | ⚠️ Limited | ✗ Spanish |
| Coljuegos License | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Passport Verification | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes | ⚠️ Cédula preferred |
| PSE Deposits | ✓ Yes | ✗ Crypto only | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Crypto Deposits | ✗ No | ✓ 20+ coins | ✗ No | ✗ No |
| Cash Deposits | ✓ Efecty | ✗ No | ✓ Efecty + Retail | ✓ Efecty |
| NFL Coverage | ✓ Excellent | ✓ Excellent | ✓ Good | ⚠️ Basic |
| Liga BetPlay | ✓ Good | ✓ Good | ✓ Good | ✓ Best |
| Welcome Bonus | 100% to $200K | 200% to $3,000 | 100% to $100K | 100% to $50K |
| Best For | Overall | No bank account | Easy bonus | Local expertise |
LOCAL OPTIONS: WPLAY & BETPLAY
If you speak Spanish (or are willing to use Google Translate), the local Colombian operators offer deep Liga BetPlay coverage:
Wplay
Colombia's largest local sportsbook. Best Liga BetPlay markets, excellent Colombian football coverage. Spanish-only interface, prefers cédula for verification but may accept passport. Good if you want to focus on Colombian sports.
BetPlay
Official betting partner of Liga BetPlay (the league is literally named after them). Deepest Colombian football markets available. Spanish-only, cédula required. Best for Colombian football purists.
🎯 Recommendation by Situation
Have Colombian bank (Bancolombia, etc.): Betsson—best overall experience
No local bank account: Stake—crypto solves everything
Want easy bonus terms: Codere—1x rollover is unbeatable
Focus on Colombian football: Wplay or BetPlay
American or British Expat?
We have step-by-step guides specifically for expats dealing with US/UK banking blocks, passport verification, and finding sportsbooks that actually work for foreigners.
FAQ
Why doesn't bet365 operate in Colombia?
bet365 has prioritized other Latin American markets (Brazil, Mexico, Argentina). Colombia's regulatory requirements and competitive local market may have made it less attractive.
Is Betsson as good as bet365?
Very comparable. Both are major international operators with similar product quality. Betsson is publicly traded, 60+ years old, and offers the same professional experience.
Can I open Betsson without a cédula?
Yes. Betsson accepts US passport for verification. You'll need a Colombian address (your rental works) but not a cédula.
What if I can't open a Colombian bank account?
Use Stake. Crypto deposits bypass all local banking requirements. Buy USDT on Coinbase, transfer to Stake, bet.