Labour Party congressman Ricardo Mejía Berdeja filed a new gambling bill with Mexico’s federal legislature last week. He wants to scrap the country’s 1947 Federal Gambling and Lotteries Law completely.
The current rules don’t cover online platforms. They’re outdated for today’s market.
Mejía’s proposal creates a National Institute of Games and Lotteries under the Ministry of Interior. This new body would handle all licensing, inspections and penalties. The goal? Remove discretionary decisions from the regulatory process.
Why Mexico Needs Updated Gambling Laws
The 1947 law can’t handle modern digital gaming. It was written decades before online casinos existed.
Mejía pointed to successful reforms in Brazil and the US. Both countries aligned their gambling rules with fiscal and social benefits. Mexico’s gambling sector has grown without proper oversight, and that’s created problems.
The current system doesn’t prioritise player welfare. There’s no consistent framework for responsible gaming measures. Illegal operators face few real consequences under existing laws.
And the rise of digital platforms means Mexico needs rules that actually work for 2025.
What Changes Under the Proposed Framework
Operators would need one license per location under the new law. No exceptions. This makes oversight much easier.
The bill gives regulators power to shut down unlicensed venues immediately. Fines could reach thousands of minimum wages for violations.
Players would need to be 21 or older to gamble. That’s higher than the current standard. Self-exclusion programs become mandatory across all platforms.
ATMs can’t be placed in gaming areas anymore. Operators must inform players about gambling risks upfront. They’d also need to set betting limits based on each player’s financial situation.
The law treats gambling addiction as a public health issue (not just a personal problem).
How This Reshapes Mexico’s Gaming Industry
Licensed operators face stricter compliance requirements if this passes. But they’d also get clearer rules to follow.
The one-license-per-venue rule changes how companies can expand. It prevents operators from running multiple brands from the same location. That creates more market fairness.
Illegal gambling faces real enforcement for the first time. Unlicensed sites would risk immediate closure and heavy fines. The new institute would have dedicated inspection teams.
Responsible gaming measures become standard across the industry. Every operator implements the same player protection tools. No more picking and choosing which safeguards to use.
The bill puts players at the centre of regulation, according to Mejía. It balances innovation with public welfare needs.
