A Mexico City lawmaker has introduced a proposal to strengthen regulation of online gambling platforms, with measures focused on preventing underage access, improving consumer protection and addressing gambling addiction.
Alberto Martínez Urincho, a member of the ruling Morena parliamentary group, presented reforms to Mexico’s Federal Law on Games and Raffles that would introduce stricter requirements for gambling operators and digital platforms.
The proposal seeks to formally recognize gambling addiction as a public health issue, introduce mandatory risk and health warnings for betting providers and require stronger identity verification systems to prevent minors from accessing gambling services.
It also includes restrictions on misleading advertising and commercial practices aimed at attracting vulnerable users. The initiative would prohibit prediction-based bets on political events, armed conflicts, natural disasters, humanitarian crises or other events considered to undermine human dignity.
As the legislation concerns federal law, the proposal must first be approved by Mexico City’s legislative committees and plenary session before being sent to Mexico’s federal Congress for further consideration.
Earlier this week, Mexico’s tax authority announced plans to auction a majority stake in the company that holds the operating permit for 65 casinos and the Hipódromo de las Américas racetrack.
The shares were seized from operator Codere over unpaid federal tax debts. The auction includes 97.6% of Codere’s shares in ICELA, the parent company of casino and racetrack permit holder AMHI. The sale includes a 50.8% controlling stake valued at MXN 625m ($33.4m) alongside 93 smaller share lots.
Last month, the Mexican state of Jalisco prepared legislative reforms that would strengthen safeguards against underage gambling
