Mexico Needs Modern Gaming Law to Sustain Growth
Mexico needs a modern federal gaming law and stronger government backing to convert rising player demand into sustainable industry growth, Dr Miguel Angel Ochoa Sanchez, president of the Asociacion de Permisionarios y Proveedores de la Industria del Entretenimiento y Juegos de Apuesta en Mexico (AIEJA), told SiGMA News at SiGMA North America 2026.
Ochoa Sanchez said the country's existing gaming law, enacted in 1947, no longer reflects the market's structure or technological demands.
"At the time, it was a modern law, but today it is obsolete," he said.
Its implementing regulations, published in 2004, have been amended three times, most recently in November 2023 with tighter conditions on permit periods, casino openings and venue relocations.
Mexico Ranks Third In North American iGaming Revenue
According to the SiGMA North America Market Report 2026, which uses data from the market intelligence platform Blask covering July 2025 to June 2026, Mexico was the region's third-largest iGaming market by estimated revenue, behind the United States and Canada.
Mexico's estimated monthly revenue peaked at about 227.1 million dollars in December 2025, with its Blask Index of aggregated user interest reaching approximately 9.49 million that same month.
While You Are Here, Why Not Check Out Our: Casino Games Hub & Free Slots?
Draft Legislation Awaits Government Action
Ochoa Sanchez said the government invited industry stakeholders in December 2024 to join five working groups tasked with preparing proposed legislation covering land-based casinos, online casinos, permits, venue changes and new openings. "The project is finished, and we are waiting for it to be moved forward," he said.
He also called for permit holders, operators, suppliers and technology companies to coordinate more closely on responsible gaming.
"There are many companies in Mexico with social responsibility programmes, but they are not grouped together in one bloc. They are isolated," he said.
Industry Wants Support, Not Just Tolerance
"We need the government to commit, to look at us favourably, regulate us and control us, but also promote us and allow us to grow," Ochoa Sanchez said, warning that a lack of a viable regulated framework could push gambling activity underground, cutting oversight and tax collection.
"We do not want to be tolerated. We want to be supported and encouraged under orderly rules of control, respect and regulation."
Looking ahead, he expects growth in payment platforms, gaming technology, esports and fraud-prevention systems, cautioning that "artificial intelligence is a marvel for global technology, but it can also become an adverse element in fraud."
Latest News from Gambling.com
Casino
