THE EXPAT BANKING PROBLEM
You've moved to Colombia. You want to bet on sports. But you don't have a cédula.
This is the core frustration for American expats. Most Colombian sportsbooks prefer cédula (national ID) for verification. Local payment methods like PSE require Colombian bank accounts. And opening a Colombian bank account as a foreigner is... complicated.
Good news: there are solutions. Here are three paths to betting in Colombia without a cédula, ranked from easiest to most involved.
SOLUTION 1: USE STAKE (CRYPTO)
🏆 EASIEST OPTION
Bypass local banking entirely. Stake accepts crypto deposits and passport verification. Buy USDT on Coinbase, send to Stake, bet.
Stake solves everything. They're Coljuegos licensed, accept US passport for verification, and only require cryptocurrency for deposits. No Colombian bank account. No cédula. No PSE integration.
How It Works:
Create Coinbase Account
Sign up at coinbase.com with your US passport. Link your US bank account or debit card. This takes 10-15 minutes.
Buy USDT (Tether)
Purchase USDT—a stablecoin worth $1 USD. This protects you from crypto volatility. Buy whatever amount you want to deposit.
Create Stake Account
Sign up at stake.com (they'll detect Colombia and route to their licensed site). Upload your US passport for verification.
Send USDT to Stake
Get your deposit address from Stake, send USDT from Coinbase. Funds arrive in 5-30 minutes depending on blockchain confirmation.
Bet
Your balance appears in USDT. Place bets as normal. Withdrawals are instant—back to your crypto wallet in minutes.
🎰 STAKE - NO CÉDULA NEEDED
Crypto deposits. Passport verification. Coljuegos licensed. The easiest solution for expats.
Join Stake →18+ | Coljuegos Licensed | Gamble Responsibly
SOLUTION 2: BETSSON WITH PASSPORT
BEST TRADITIONAL OPTION
Betsson accepts US passport verification. You'll need either a Colombian bank account (for PSE) or use Efecty cash deposits.
Betsson accepts US passports for identity verification. The challenge is funding—you still need a way to deposit money.
Funding Options at Betsson:
Option A: Efecty Cash Deposits
- Generate deposit code in Betsson app
- Walk to any Efecty location (convenience stores, pharmacies)
- Pay cash in Colombian pesos
- Funds appear within minutes
- Limit: Usually $500,000 COP per transaction
Option B: Colombian Bank Account
- If you manage to open a Bancolombia or other local account
- Use PSE for instant transfers
- Higher limits than Efecty
⚽ BETSSON - PASSPORT ACCEPTED
Full English interface. US passport verification. Efecty cash deposits available.
Join Betsson →18+ | Coljuegos Licensed | Gamble Responsibly
SOLUTION 3: GET A CÉDULA DE EXTRANJERÍA
LONG-TERM SOLUTION
If you're staying long-term, getting legal residency unlocks all local services—banking, sportsbooks, everything.
The cédula de extranjería is Colombia's foreign resident ID. With this document, you can:
- Open Colombian bank accounts easily
- Register at any sportsbook (Wplay, BetPlay, etc.)
- Use PSE, Nequi, Daviplata
- Access all local services
Getting one requires a visa (work, retirement, investment, etc.) and application to Migración Colombia. Process takes 2-6 months and isn't worth it just for sports betting—but if you're building a life in Colombia, prioritize this.
WHICH SPORTSBOOKS ACCEPT PASSPORTS?
| Sportsbook | US Passport | Deposit Methods | English |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stake | ✓ Yes | Crypto only | ✓ Full |
| Betsson | ✓ Yes | PSE, Efecty, Nequi | ✓ Full |
| Codere | ✓ Yes | PSE, Efecty | ⚠️ Limited |
| Wplay | ⚠️ Sometimes | PSE, Efecty, Nequi | ✗ Spanish |
| BetPlay | ✗ Cédula required | PSE, Efecty | ✗ Spanish |
| Rushbet | ⚠️ Sometimes | PSE, Efecty | ✗ Spanish |
🎯 The Bottom Line
Easiest path: Stake (crypto) — no local banking required, passport accepted, instant everything.
Best traditional: Betsson — passport accepted, Efecty cash deposits if you don't have a bank.
Long-term: Get cédula de extranjería if you're staying permanently.
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
Can I use my US bank card at Colombian sportsbooks?
Usually no. Most Colombian sportsbooks only accept Colombian-issued cards. Stake (crypto) bypasses this entirely.
What's the fastest way to start betting?
Stake. If you already have Coinbase, you can be betting within 30 minutes. Buy USDT, send to Stake, done.
Are Efecty deposits safe?
Yes. Efecty is a major Colombian payment network used by millions. You receive a code, pay cash at any location, funds credit to your account.