Mexico’s Secretariat of the Interior (Segob) has nearly completed an internal review of proposed reforms to the country’s Federal Law on Games and Draws, with the proposal set to be considered by the government’s Security Cabinet before any potential submission to Congress.
Segob Secretary Rosa Icela Rodríguez announced the latest stage of the process during President Claudia Sheinbaum’s morning press conference at the National Palace on 3 September.
“At the instruction of the president, we are conducting the review. The internal review is almost complete across the different government agencies that may have an involvement in casinos, betting venues and entertainment centres,” Rodríguez said.
Rodríguez said Segob already had a proposed law, which would next be put before the Security Cabinet. She did not provide a timetable for its consideration or any possible submission to Congress, and the government has not published draft legislation or detailed the measures it would contain.
The current Federal Law on Games and Draws dates from 1947. Rodríguez said an overhaul was needed to reflect technological developments affecting the gambling sector.
Rodríguez also referred to enforcement action involving gambling establishments suspected of money laundering or tax fraud.
She said 13 casino closures had been publicly reported, while estimating the total number of establishments with problems at around 20. The cases involved coordination with the Attorney General’s Office and the Financial Intelligence Unit, she said.
The secretary reiterated a warning to gambling operators that attempts to bribe Segob staff could result in business closures, while public officials who accepted payments could face criminal proceedings.
“Please do not corrupt personnel at the Secretariat of the Interior,” Rodríguez said she had told operators, recalling an earlier meeting with casino and betting sector representatives. She also said Segob did not employ representatives or intermediaries, and encouraged businesses to report extortion attempts.
The announcement represents further progress on a reform initiative Rodríguez publicly outlined in September 2025. Speaking before the Chamber of Deputies, Rodríguez said Segob was working on legislation to update the 1947 gambling law, provide greater certainty for legitimate investment and sanction offences related to money laundering. She said the ministry was willing to review and regularise operators’ situations where appropriate, provided they met their tax obligations.
Mexico’s Chamber of Deputies previously approved a proposed Federal Law on Games with Betting and Draws on 3 December 2014. That proposal was sent to the Senate but was never enacted, leaving the 1947 law in force.
Mexico’s Secretariat of the Interior (Segob) has nearly completed an internal review of proposed reforms to the country’s Federal Law on Games and Draws, with the proposal set to be considered by the government’s Security Cabinet before any potential submission to Congress. Segob Secretary Rosa Icela Rodríguez announced the latest stage of the process during