Mexico’s proposed overhaul of its gambling legislation has entered its final stage of Government review, as federal authorities continue to increase scrutiny of casinos over suspected money laundering and tax fraud.
Secretary of the Interior Rosa Icela Rodríguez said the Ministry of the Interior, known as Segob, has largely completed its internal review of the proposal. It will next be considered by the federal security cabinet before potentially progressing to Congress.
The reform was developed at the instruction of President Claudia Sheinbaum following work between Segob and other federal agencies with responsibilities affecting casinos and betting businesses.
Mexico’s Federal Law on Games and Sweepstakes dates to 1947 and generally prohibits gambling unless activities fall within permitted categories or receive authorization from Segob.
The age of the framework has become a focus as online gambling and financial crime controls have developed beyond the market contemplated when the legislation was introduced.
The review also comes amid increased enforcement against the casino sector. In November 2025, Segob suspended 13 physical and online casinos after an investigation by the Ministry of Finance and the security cabinet identified establishments considered to present high financial risks.
Authorities said the investigation identified cash transactions, international financial flows and the use of unsupervised digital platforms. Complaints were subsequently submitted to the Attorney General’s Office over suspected money laundering and related offenses, while potential tax violations were referred to federal fiscal authorities.
Rodríguez has now indicated that the number of casinos facing problems could be around 20, while distinguishing those financial investigations from Segob’s administrative regulation of the industry.
Mexico has separately tightened its broader AML framework. Rules published by the Ministry of Finance on August 10 introduced a risk-based approach for businesses carrying out designated vulnerable activities.
The requirements cover assessments of customers, transactions, products, services and geographic exposure, alongside strengthened customer due diligence and beneficial ownership controls.
Rodríguez also addressed corruption risks surrounding regulatory oversight, saying permit holders had previously been instructed not to offer payments to Segob officials and to conduct dealings directly with the ministry rather than through intermediaries.
Earlier this year, Mexico’s Federal Court authorized Compañía Operadora Clíe to introduce slot machines across 20 licensed casinos, overturning Segob restrictions that had limited the operator’s gaming offer. The judgment found that regulatory provisions imposed restrictions that were not expressly established by federal law.
Mexico’s new AML rules form part of reforms to its illicit-finance prevention framework introduced across 2025 and 2026
