Mexico Gambling Reform Moves Closer to Congress
Interior Secretary Rosa Icela Rodríguez said the administration is close to finishing its review of proposed changes to the Federal Law on Games and Draws. Several agencies have taken part because their responsibilities touch casinos, betting establishments and entertainment venues.
The proposal will now go before the security cabinet. Only after that review can the government move the bill into the legislative process.
Reform Would Update a 1947 Gambling Law
The reform was first announced in September 2025. It would update a gambling law that dates back to 1947. Under the current system, the Interior Ministry remains responsible for authorizing and supervising gambling establishments.
Rodríguez has not released the latest draft or given a date for its submission to Congress. That leaves operators waiting for details on licensing, supervision and possible changes to existing permits.
Casino Cases Add Pressure to the Review
The legislative work is moving ahead while authorities are already taking action against parts of the casino sector. Rodríguez said 13 casinos remain the publicly reported figure in cases involving alleged money laundering or tax evasion. She added that around 20 establishments may have faced problems.
Mexico’s Attorney General’s Office and Financial Intelligence Unit have been involved in the government’s response. The Interior Ministry has also taken a harder line with permit holders. Rodríguez said industry representatives were told early in the current administration that attempts to corrupt government staff could lead to closures and criminal consequences. She also said she has no intermediaries in dealings between her office and gambling businesses.
That enforcement record gives the pending reform a different backdrop. Mexico is reconsidering sector rules while compliance and financial crime cases remain active.
AML Changes Are Already in Motion
A separate set of rules is changing the financial compliance side of the business before the gambling bill reaches Congress. The Finance Ministry published updated anti-money laundering provisions in August. Gambling, betting, contests and draws fall under Mexico’s definition of “Vulnerable Activities.”
Operators covered by the rules will have to assess risk across customers, transactions, products and the channels used to provide services. The requirements also cover beneficial owners, politically exposed persons, records and regulatory filings. Implementation will be phased in, rather than applied all at once.
Operators Now Face Two Moving Rulebooks
The two sets of rules are not moving forward at the same pace. AML obligations are becoming clearer, while the sector’s main legal framework is still under review.
The next major signal will come from the version of the bill sent to Congress. Its wording should show whether the government is planning a limited update to an old law or a wider change in the way casinos and betting businesses are supervised. Until then, operators are being asked to tighten financial controls without knowing the final shape of the broader reform.