How to Bet on Sports in Colombia as an American
The "I'm at a bar and the game's about to start" guide
I've been there. I live here. This guide is everything I wish someone had told me.
⚡ TL;DR — The Quick Answer
First Things First: Yes, It's Legal
Colombia became the first country in Latin America to fully regulate online sports betting back in 2016. The regulator is called Coljuegos, and they license both local and international operators.
As a foreigner, you're legally allowed to bet at any licensed sportsbook. There's no law against Americans (or any nationality) placing bets. The gray area isn't about legality—it's about access. Most Colombian sportsbooks want your cédula (national ID), which you don't have. And your American bank probably blocks gambling transactions anyway.
But there are clear paths around both problems. Let's get into it.
The American Banking Problem (And How to Solve It)
🚫 These US Banks Block Gambling Transactions
If you're trying to deposit with your American debit or credit card, you're probably getting declined. These banks actively block gambling:
This isn't Colombia's fault—it's the 2006 UIGEA law that still haunts American banking. Transactions coded as gambling (MCC codes 7800-7802) get auto-blocked.
Your Three Options
Buy USDT on Coinbase with your US bank account (this works—it's not coded as gambling). Send to Stake. Bet. Withdraw back to Coinbase when you win. Takes about 20 minutes to set up the first time, instant after that.
Best for: Americans without Colombian banking. No ID hassles, no declined cards, instant withdrawals.
Walk into any Efecty location (they're everywhere—like 7-Eleven for payments), give them cash and a reference number from your sportsbook, and funds appear in minutes. Works at Betsson and Codere.
Best for: People who prefer cash and don't want to deal with crypto. Limit ~$500 USD equivalent per transaction.
If you have a cédula de extranjería (foreigner ID), you can open a Bancolombia or Davivienda account and use PSE instant transfers or Nequi/Daviplata mobile wallets. This unlocks everything.
Best for: Long-term residents who already have or are getting their cédula. Takes 2-6 months to get the ID.
Best Sportsbooks for Americans in Colombia
Not all sportsbooks are created equal when you're holding a blue passport. Here's what actually works:
The go-to for American expats across Latin America. Accepts US passport verification, crypto deposits bypass US banking restrictions entirely, and withdrawals hit your Coinbase in minutes—not days.
Swedish-owned, Coljuegos-licensed. The best "traditional" option that actually accepts Americans. Works with Efecty cash deposits if you don't want to mess with crypto. Solid NFL props and live betting.
Spanish operator with strong Latin America presence. Coljuegos licensed. Accepts US passports but the interface is Spanish-heavy. Good for Liga BetPlay if you want to bet on local Colombian football.
⚠️ Sportsbooks That Won't Work for Americans
BetPlay & Wplay — Colombia's biggest local operators, but they require a Colombian cédula. Your US passport won't cut it. Don't waste your time.
DraftKings & FanDuel — Not available outside the US. Period. Your existing account is geo-blocked here.
bet365 — Technically operates in Colombia but has complex residency requirements. Hit or miss for Americans.
Step-by-Step: Place Your First Bet (Stake + Crypto)
This is the fastest path from "I want to bet" to "I just placed a bet" for Americans in Colombia. Total time: about 20 minutes.
Download Coinbase (if you don't have it)
This is your bridge between US banking and crypto sportsbooks. Your American bank account can send money to Coinbase without issues—it's not coded as gambling. Verify your identity with your US passport or driver's license. Takes 5-10 minutes.
Buy USDT (Tether)
USDT is a "stablecoin" pegged 1:1 to the US dollar. No price volatility—$100 of USDT is always worth $100. Buy however much you want to deposit. Coinbase fee is about 1.5%.
Create Your Stake Account
Go to Stake.com, sign up with email, and verify with your US passport. Yes, they accept it. Takes about 5 minutes. Use a strong password—this is real money.
Get Your Stake Deposit Address
In Stake, go to Wallet → Deposit → USDT → Select TRC-20 network (cheapest fees, about $1). Copy the wallet address. It looks like: TXrk...7Hjq
Send USDT from Coinbase to Stake
In Coinbase: Send → USDT → Paste the Stake address → Make sure you select TRC-20 network (must match what you selected in Stake). Confirm and send. Takes 5-15 minutes to arrive.
Place Your Bet
Once funds arrive, navigate to your sport (American Football → NFL), find your game, click the odds you want, enter your stake, confirm. Done. You're in the game.
💡 Pro Tip: Keep Some USDT in Coinbase
Once you've done this once, subsequent deposits take about 2 minutes. I keep USDT loaded in Coinbase so I can top up my Stake account whenever. If you're at the bar and want to bet on the second half, you can deposit during halftime.
Where to Watch (And Bet) in Colombia
Part of the fun is watching the game somewhere with atmosphere. Here's where American expats actually go:
Medellín
Bogotá
Cartagena
What About Your Existing US Sportsbook Account?
🚫 Don't Even Try
DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, Caesars—they're all geo-blocked outside the US. Your account still exists, your funds are safe, but you cannot place bets while you're in Colombia.
Using a VPN to access them is a violation of their Terms of Service. If caught, they can close your account and seize your balance. It's not worth it. The books listed above are better for what you need anyway.
Time Zones: When US Sports Actually Happen Here
Good news: Colombia is on Eastern Time (same as New York) with no daylight saving changes. Games happen at the same clock time as the US East Coast.
| Game Slot | US Eastern | Colombia | Vibe |
|---|---|---|---|
| NFL Early Sunday | 1:00 PM | 1:00 PM | Lunch + football |
| NFL Late Sunday | 4:25 PM | 4:25 PM | Afternoon beers |
| NFL Sunday Night | 8:20 PM | 8:20 PM | Dinner game |
| Monday Night Football | 8:15 PM | 8:15 PM | Bar night |
| NBA Primetime | 7:30 PM | 7:30 PM | Easy evening |
| MLB Night Games | 7:00 PM | 7:00 PM | Dinner game |
No more 10 AM football like your friends on the West Coast. No staying up until 1 AM for Monday Night Football like the Europeans. You're in the sweet spot.
Tax Implications (The Boring But Important Stuff)
Look, I'm not a tax advisor, but here's what you should know:
Colombia: Taxes on gambling winnings are paid by the operator (that 15-17% GGR tax Coljuegos charges). You don't file anything locally for your winnings.
United States: As a US citizen, you're taxed on worldwide income—including gambling winnings, no matter where you earn them. The IRS expects you to report this. Starting January 1, 2026, a new law limits gambling loss deductions to 90% of winnings (previously 100%).
Keep records of your bets. Most sportsbooks have transaction history you can export. Talk to a tax professional who understands expat situations if your volume is significant.
FAQ
Can I use my US driver's license instead of passport?
For Stake, you'll need your passport—driver's licenses aren't accepted for international verification. Bring your passport anyway; you need it for everything in Colombia.
What if I don't want to use crypto?
Betsson accepts Efecty cash deposits. Walk into any Efecty (yellow signs, they're everywhere), give them cash + your deposit reference number, and funds appear in your account within minutes. No crypto required.
Is Stake safe? It's licensed in Curaçao, not Colombia.
Stake is one of the largest sportsbooks in the world, with Drake as a brand ambassador (take that as you will). Curaçao licensing is legitimate. They've processed billions in bets. That said, only deposit what you can afford to lose—true of any sportsbook.
Can I bet on Colombian football (Liga BetPlay)?
Absolutely. Stake, Betsson, and Codere all offer Liga BetPlay markets. Betting on Atlético Nacional vs. Millonarios while watching at a local bar is a peak Colombia experience.
What's the minimum bet?
Stake's minimum is about $0.20 USD equivalent. Betsson is around $1. You can start small while you figure things out.
How do I withdraw my winnings?
On Stake: Withdraw to Coinbase (reverse of the deposit process), then cash out to your US bank account. On Betsson with Efecty: You can request a bank transfer or pick up cash at Efecty locations.
Will I get in trouble for this?
No. Sports betting is legal and regulated in Colombia. You're not breaking Colombian law, and betting with offshore books isn't illegal for US citizens (it's the operators who face restrictions, not players). Just don't try to VPN back into US sportsbooks—that's where you risk problems.
The Bottom Line
You moved to Colombia for a reason—the weather, the culture, the cost of living, whatever. Missing out on betting the Sunday games doesn't have to be part of the deal.
The easiest path: Coinbase → USDT → Stake. Twenty minutes of setup, instant deposits after that, and you're back to yelling at the TV with money on the line like God intended.
If you hate crypto: Betsson + Efecty cash. A little more friction but no cryptocurrency required.
Either way, you're 20 minutes from your first bet. The game's about to start.
Ready to Place Your First Bet?
Stake accepts US passports, works with crypto (bypassing US banking blocks), and has instant withdrawals. It's what most American expats here use.
Open Your Stake Account →