How to Bet on Sports in Colombia as a Brit
Your bet365 account won't work—here's what will
⚠️ Your UK bet365 Account Is Geo-Blocked
If you're hoping to use your existing bet365, William Hill, or Paddy Power account from Colombia—it won't work. UK-licensed sportsbooks require UK IP addresses. bet365 has aggressive VPN detection. Don't risk your account balance trying workarounds.
⚡ TL;DR — The Quick Answer
The British Banking Situation
Brits face different challenges than Americans. Your credit cards aren't blocked for gambling (mostly)—but there are other issues:
- Credit card gambling ban: Since April 2020, UK credit cards can't be used for gambling under Gambling Commission rules. Debit cards only.
- Revolut complications: Revolut now blocks ALL gambling transactions for UK accounts due to regulatory requirements.
- UK sportsbook geo-blocks: Your bet365, Sky Bet, Ladbrokes accounts won't work outside the UK.
✅ The Good News
UK debit cards (Visa/Mastercard from traditional banks) generally work at international sportsbooks. And crypto is always an option. You have more flexibility than Americans.
Best Sportsbooks for Brits in Colombia
Swedish operator with Coljuegos license in Colombia. Accepts UK passports. Interface available in English. UK debit cards work for deposits. Solid Premier League and Champions League coverage—plus they actually know what markets Brits want.
Deposits: UK debit card, Efecty cash, crypto
Premier League: Excellent coverage, good in-play
Withdrawals: 24-48 hours
If your UK bank is fussy about international gambling transactions, crypto bypasses everything. Stake accepts UK passport verification. Same great product Brits use worldwide when traveling.
Deposits: Crypto (USDT, BTC, ETH)
Advantage: No bank involvement at all
Spanish operator, Coljuegos licensed. Accepts UK passports. Strong La Liga coverage. Interface is Spanish-dominant but navigable. Efecty deposits work if you want to use cash.
Try Codere →Football Coverage (The Important Bit)
Let's be honest—you're probably more interested in Premier League than NFL. Here's the coverage situation:
⚽ Premier League & European Football
Betsson: Excellent. Full match markets, in-play, player props, corners, cards—the works.
Stake: Very good. Slightly less depth on obscure markets but covers everything major.
Codere: Good La Liga focus, decent Premier League.
For Champions League, Europa League, and international matches, both Betsson and Stake have you covered.
Time Zones for UK Sports
Colombia is 5 hours behind the UK (GMT-5). This actually works quite well:
- 3 PM Saturday kickoffs: 10 AM in Colombia. Morning coffee and football.
- 12:30 PM early kickoffs: 7:30 AM. Early but doable.
- 5:30 PM late kickoffs: 12:30 PM. Lunch and football.
- 8 PM Champions League: 3 PM. Perfect afternoon viewing.
No staying up until 3 AM like when watching from Australia. The timing is civilised.
Where to Watch in Colombia
Premier League isn't as ubiquitous as local football, but you can find it:
Medellín
Patrick's Irish Pub (El Poblado): Shows Premier League, Six Nations, Champions League. English-speaking crowd. Your best bet for big matches.
Bogotá
The Pub Bogotá (Zona Rosa): British-style pub with Premier League coverage. Popular with embassy staff and British expats.
For most matches, you'll likely watch at home or in your accommodation. ESPN and Star+ carry Premier League in Colombia if your building has cable.
FAQ
Will my Monzo/Starling card work?
Usually yes for debit transactions at international sportsbooks. These fintech banks are generally less restrictive than Revolut for gambling. Test with a small deposit first.
What about Wise (TransferWise)?
Wise doesn't specifically block gambling. You can use it to convert GBP to COP for local payment methods, or to buy crypto for Stake deposits.
Can I use my bet365 balance somehow?
You can withdraw from your UK bet365 account to your UK bank, then use those funds elsewhere. But you cannot place bets on the UK site from Colombia.
Is there a British expat community in Colombia?
Smaller than the American community but present, especially in Medellín and Bogotá. Facebook groups like "Brits in Colombia" exist. Six Nations viewing events happen at Irish pubs.
The Bottom Line
Your UK sportsbook accounts won't work in Colombia, but you have good alternatives. Betsson is the smoothest option—UK passport, UK debit card, English interface, proper football coverage. Stake is there if you prefer crypto.
The time zone works brilliantly for Premier League. You can watch 3 PM kickoffs with your morning coffee. Not bad at all.
Ready for Saturday 3 PM?
Betsson accepts UK passports and cards—get set up before the weekend fixtures.
Open Betsson Account →