The Government of Jalisco, Mexico, is preparing reforms to strengthen its gambling legislation. The measures would impose tougher penalties on those who allow or encourage minors to participate in gambling involving slot machines and other gaming devices.
Governor Pablo Lemus confirmed that a legislative proposal will be submitted to the Jalisco Congress in the coming days, seeking amendments to Article 142-A of the state's Penal Code. The reforms are intended to strengthen legal protections for children and adolescents by addressing early exposure to gambling and the associated risks of gambling-related harm.
A key element of the proposal is the introduction of a legal definition of "games of chance," designed to provide greater legal certainty and support the effective enforcement of gambling laws. The amendments would also increase penalties for individuals found to have facilitated or encouraged minors to participate in gambling activities.
Alongside the proposed legal reforms, the state Government plans to launch public awareness campaigns targeting families, schools and commercial establishments. Governor Lemus called on members of the Jalisco Congress to give the proposal prompt consideration.
In April, a federal court in Mexico authorized the operation of slot machines in licensed casinos, overturning previous restrictions imposed by Mexico's regulator, the Secretaría de Gobernación (Segob).
The decision grants Compañía Operadora Clíe permission to install slot machines and offer games such as cards, dice and roulette across 20 venues originally licensed during the previous administration.
Under earlier conditions set by Segob, the operator had been limited to table betting, a restriction that reportedly prevented the casinos from becoming operational.
A Mexican Federal Congressman recently introduced a proposal that would require Segob to publish, in an open-data format, a complete list of permits granted to casinos and online operators
