Colombia’s Medellín Lottery saw a huge increase in sales in 2025 according to its latest figures, but last year did not pass by without controversy for the state lottery.
The operator, which is based in the city of Medellín but administered by the state government of Antioquia, reported a COP2.5bn increase in sales from its own draws in 2025.
As reported by SBC Noticias, total sales from Medellin Lottery draws came in at COP177bn in 2026, making it the highest grossing lottery in Colombia, with billions subsequently directed to various national projects.
This included COP14bn to national health and educational transfers through the Administrator of Resources of the General Social Security System in Health (ADRES), while COP31bn was transferred to the state government via the Department of Health and Social Inclusion.
Revenue came not only through the usual lottery draws but also from ‘Permanent Bets’ and ‘Games of Chance’, which generated sales of COP596bn. The revenue has been celebrated by the Antioquia government.
Néstor Fernando Zuluaga Giraldo, Manager of the Medellín Lottery, said: “Antioquia registered the highest sales of territorial games in the country, allowing the organization to maintain its position as the main contributor of resources derived from the operation of the monopoly on games of chance in Colombia.”
The year was not all smooth sailing for the Medellín Lottery however, as it found itself at the centre of international industry headlines following an investigation into a potentially huge corruption scandal.
The Colombian National Council for Games of Luck and Chance (CNJSA) and the national gambling regulator, Coljuegos, launched an investigation into the May 2025 jackpot of COP16bn – which was won by the wife of former Deputy Manager of the lottery, Rubén Callejas.
The incident goes to show that while state lottery do benefit from greater trust among consumers than other gaming verticals and generate significant returns for state coffers, the institutions and companies are not immune to integrity and business malpractice allegations.