Mexico’s gaming law reform reaches final review after passing federal internal analysis

Mexico’s update to the Federal Law on Games and Raffles has cleared internal review inside the federal government and is now waiting on the National Security Cabinet. For casinos and betting operators, that matters because the country is still working off a 1947 framework, with the next version expected to tighten oversight and coordination across agencies.

1. Secretary of the Interior Rosa Icela Rodríguez said the draft had already passed the internal analysis of the federal public administration. The text was presented preliminarily to the Chamber of Deputies in September 2025, and the only remaining step before it moves to the legislature is review by the National Security Cabinet.
2. The current law dates back to 1947 and still carries broad restrictions on betting and games of chance, while also allowing permits granted by Segob, Mexico’s Ministry of the Interior. Segob also oversees establishments operating under that regime, which is why the government says the legal framework needs modernization.
3. Rodríguez said the proposal follows a direct instruction from the Presidency of the Republic to involve all agencies with jurisdiction over casinos and betting shops. The stated goal is to bring the rules in line with today’s market and improve coordination among the authorities responsible for regulation.
4. The reform is also meant to strengthen supervision of operations and reduce room for irregular activity. Since the current administration began, Segob has set clear conditions for permit holders: eliminate corrupt practices, and expect closures for irregular businesses; officials who collude would face prison, according to the ministry.
5. In parallel, Segob is coordinating with the Fiscalía General de la República (FGR) and the Unidad de Inteligencia Financiera (UIF) of the Ministry of Finance to curb money laundering and tax fraud in Mexican casinos. The government says that effort has already led to 13 casino closures over two years, while about 20 establishments are under review or have open files.

If the National Security Cabinet signs off, the draft will move to the Congreso de la Unión and begin the formal legislative process. For PSPs, acquirers, and banks touching gaming in Mexico, this is the point where legal modernization starts turning into operational risk management.