Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum is closer to finalizing key changes to how casinos operate
Mexico is preparing a major overhaul of the laws that govern casinos and online gambling, aiming to close long-standing loopholes and bring the country’s rules in line with today’s digital reality.
President Claudia Sheinbaum confirmed that her administration is drafting a modernized framework to tighten oversight, strengthen monitoring tools, and respond to the explosive rise of online betting. She noted that Mexico’s current legislation was created when internet wagering barely existed, leaving gaps that bad actors have been able to exploit.
Speaking at a recent press conference, Sheinbaum highlighted how dramatically the landscape has changed, pointing to the massive surge in digital bets promoted heavily across social networks and traditional media. The goal of the new rules, she said, is to introduce real transparency into the industry and curb abuses taking place on digital platforms.
A central focus of the reform is combating money laundering. Authorities warn that online gambling has become an attractive channel for moving illicit funds, especially given the limited safeguards built into older regulations. The government’s plan seeks to create clearer operational standards for both physical casinos and online operators, along with stronger traceability requirements.
To develop these reforms, several federal agencies—including the Financial Intelligence Unit (UIF), the Ministry of Finance, and the Ministry of the Interior—are working together on a unified enforcement strategy. The need for action has already been underscored by recent UIF investigations, which led to criminal complaints against 13 casinos across eight states for suspicious financial patterns linked to global money-laundering indicators.
Sheinbaum emphasized that the intent is not to restrict lawful gambling but to ensure a safer, more accountable environment. By updating the rules and reinforcing oversight, the administration hopes to support legitimate entertainment while shutting down the pathways used for illicit financial activity.
