Online casino in Mexico

Legislation for online casinos in Mexico

Regulating casinos in Mexico

In 1947, the President of Mexico signed a law that gave the General Directorate of Games and Drawings the power to regulate, permit and control betting and lottery games. The Directorate oversaw by the Mexican Ministry of the Interior (hereafter, the Ministry).

The Ministry has issued the corresponding additions to Reglamento de la ley federal de juegos y sorteos to regulate virtual gambling establishments in the country. The Directorate is responsible for monitoring, sectioning, controlling, and monitoring money-betting and raffle games by these amendments. An exception is the National Lottery, which is directly regulated by the Law.

The provisions of the Law are binding throughout Mexico (31 states and one federal district). For related issues in the gambling industry, the following rules apply Consumer Protection Law, Personal Data Protection Law, General Health Law, national and local taxes.

There were no specific legal provisions that could be applied to Internet gambling establishments if foreign operators offered them. But the authorities consider the direct activities of casinos with cross-licenses as illegal. Mexican legislation provides for the possibility of cooperation between licensees and companies registered in the country. Individuals have the right to make transactions not prohibited by Mexican Law.  

Licensing online casino in Mexico

Bets must be allowed by the Office, which has the right to grant a license only for permitted gambling: 

• automatic machines;
• roulette;
• card games;
• bingo;
• bets on sports and random events;
• lottery. 

Only Mexican legal entities may apply for a license. 

A company with a physical institution and a permit to open a gambling house in Mexico (after this — the license holder) has the right to enter into a partnership with an unlicensed person (after this — the operator), including foreigners.

The operator shall comply with the laws of Mexico. The license holder and the operator with a permission issued in a foreign jurisdiction may establish a joint venture to open an online casino in Mexico.  

Internet institutions in Mexico prohibited from providing any form of a credit to visitors. Violations of the law are the license holder's responsibility, the operator, and the participant in illegal lotteries.

An application for a license submitted to the Office and a package of documents (requirements and list specified in the Law and Regulations (Reglamento de la Ley Federal de Juegos y Sorteos). The cost of the application and the insurance fund size can found in the «Tariffs» section on the Office's official website.

Each issued license published on the Office's official website in the section Permisos Autorizados de Juegos y Sorteos.

Protecting online casino players in Mexico

Gambling is strictly prohibited for minors (under 18 years). The Mexican authorities have defined the primary purpose of gaming — entertainment and recreation. 

Online casinos should recommend users to play responsibly:

• taking breaks in the gambling process;
• using limits on bets;
• applying self-exclusion if necessary;
• not playing in a depressed state.

On the sites, there are warnings about gambling addiction and organizations' contacts, where you can contact addicts.

Technical support contacts for players and ludomania

For gambling addiction control, contact the Centro de Orientación Telefónica 24 hours a day, seven days a week, on 01 800 911 200. Operators advise users from all over Mexico.