🇲🇽Mexico gambling regulation

Legal framework at a glance

Gambling in Mexico rests on the Federal Law of Games and Raffles of 1947, which prohibits games of chance and betting except those expressly permitted. The Regulations to that law, adopted in 2004 and later amended, allow the Secretariat of the Interior (SEGOB) to issue permits for sports books, remote betting centres, number draws and similar activities. Online gaming is offered under those permits, and in practice most online brands are run by, or partner with, holders of land-based permits.

The 1947 law predates the internet and is widely seen as outdated. The federal government has said it is working on a modern replacement, but as of October 2026 no new law had been enacted.

The regulator

SEGOB’s Directorate General of Games and Raffles (Dirección General de Juegos y Sorteos) grants and supervises permits, carries out inspections and can suspend or revoke permits. Tax administration is handled by the SAT, while the financial intelligence unit oversees anti-money laundering obligations, as gaming is a designated “vulnerable activity”. State governments regulate some local aspects and levy their own taxes.

Licensing

SEGOB permits are granted to Mexican-incorporated companies and can run for long terms, often up to 25 years for land-based establishments. Online operations are authorised as an extension of a permit holder’s activities, so foreign operators typically enter through partnerships with permit holders. The number of permits is limited and new permits have been granted sparingly in recent years. See gambling licensing models.

Online products — what is and isn’t legal

Product	Status
Online casino (slots, table games)	Permitted for SEGOB permit holders
Sports betting	Permitted for SEGOB permit holders
Online poker	Offered under some permits
Lottery	Lotería Nacional (state); permitted raffles

Offering gambling without a permit is illegal, but enforcement against offshore sites is limited and lawyers estimate a majority of the online betting available to Mexican players is unlicensed.

Taxation

Operators pay the federal special tax on production and services (IEPS) on gambling. As part of the 2026 fiscal package, Congress raised the IEPS rate on online gambling from 30% to 50%, citing anti-money laundering and transparency goals. Industry groups warned the increase could push players towards illegal sites. Several states charge their own taxes on gaming income or prizes, and winnings are subject to federal and sometimes state withholding. See gambling taxation compared.

Advertising and marketing rules

Mexico has no comprehensive gambling advertising code. General rules on misleading advertising apply, and broadcasting and health rules restrict content aimed at minors. Sponsorship of football and broadcast advertising by operators are common. Calls for tighter rules have grown, including in the context of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, and advertising may be addressed in the new gaming law. See gambling advertising rules.

Player-protection requirements

Permit holders must verify that players are adults and identify them for anti-money laundering purposes, and must offer responsible gaming tools including self-exclusion. Specific requirements for limits, reality checks or affordability are less developed than in mature European markets. See self-exclusion in Mexico for practical steps.

Enforcement against unlicensed operators

SEGOB can close illegal land-based venues and has issued warnings about unauthorised websites, but systematic ISP or payment blocking of offshore sites is not in place. Players using unlicensed sites have no Mexican regulator to complain to. See spotting unlicensed and black-market operators.

What this means for players

Players in Mexico should check that a site names the SEGOB permit under which it operates and the company that holds it. Permit holders are subject to Mexican identification, tax and anti-money laundering rules, and complaints can be raised with SEGOB. Sites without a permit, including many that advertise heavily on social media, offer no local recourse if withdrawals are refused or accounts are closed. Because there is no national self-exclusion register, the burden falls on players and families to exclude from each operator and to use blocking tools. See how to check if a gambling site is licensed and gambling blocking software.

Withholding on prizes means that large wins may be paid net of tax, and players should keep records of winnings and losses. For guidance on fair treatment, see know your rights as a gambling consumer.

Who does what

Body	Role
SEGOB (Directorate General of Games and Raffles)	Permits, supervision, sanctions
SAT	Federal tax collection, including IEPS
Financial intelligence unit	Anti-money laundering oversight
State governments	Local taxes and some licensing aspects
Lotería Nacional	State lottery

Recent developments and what to watch

• Tax: the IEPS rate on online gambling rose to 50% for 2026.
• Law reform: the federal government has said it is advancing an update to the 1947 law; content and timing remain unclear.
• World Cup 2026: the tournament, co-hosted by Mexico, increased scrutiny of betting advertising and problem gambling.

For support services, see the Mexico help directory. This page is general information, not legal advice.