AIEJA urges update of Mexican gaming laws

The Association of Permit Holders, Operators, and Suppliers of the Entertainment and Gambling Industry in Mexico (AIEJA) has called upon the government to modernize the Federal Law of Sweepstakes and Gaming.

Need for new regulations

The organization highlights the presence of over 100 unregulated companies operating nationwide, citing outdated legislation from 1947 as insufficient for the current industry landscape. AIEJA emphasizes the need for new, clear, and robust regulations to accommodate the growth of the Mexican casino industry and ensure a safe environment for both players and operators.

AIEJA further reports that 1.3% of gamblers in Mexico suffer from compulsive gambling, emphasizing the urgency of implementing measures like self-exclusion buttons used in other countries to proactively address addiction risks. While Colombia, Spain, and Peru have already embraced such tools, Mexico lags behind in their implementation, hindering the timely identification of individuals prone to addiction.

Miguel Ángel Ochoa Sánchez, President of AIEJA, addressed the challenges faced by the gaming industry: “As you well know, in Mexico the regulation of online gambling is still insufficient. Of the 100% of the existing offer available online, we estimate that only 40% is considered legal, according to the current legal framework. In other words, it has a license linked to a licensee recognized by the regulator, which is the Mexican Ministry of the Interior,”

Alarming numbers

Ochoa stated that only 40% of the existing online gambling offer in Mexico is considered legal according to the current legal framework. Reliable platforms are those with permits issued by the Ministry of the Interior, visible on their websites, ensuring compliance with all required parameters and tax obligations. The remaining spectrum consists of platforms operating under licenses from other countries but lacking a Mexican license, which exposes users to potential risks and tax evasion.

As online casinos, sports betting, and eSports gain popularity, AIEJA emphasizes the importance of well-trained personnel, financially protected establishments, tax incentives, and certified machines to guarantee fair play and customer protection, particularly in land-based gambling establishments.

The call for updated regulations from AIEJA reflects the industry’s commitment to responsible and regulated gambling practices in Mexico, aiming to create a safer and more transparent environment for all stakeholders involved.