Trying to rewrite the regulations now could interfere with gambling operations across the country
Mexican legislative authorities have decided to delay the implementation of a modernized gambling framework. This will keep the industry operating under statutes that are nearly eight decades old.
Despite initial expectations that updated regulations would arrive earlier this year, the current session of the legislature is expected to conclude without passing the necessary reforms. This postponement means that the outdated legal structure will remain in effect throughout the 2026 World Cup, which Mexico is scheduled to co-host starting this June.
Industry leaders, specifically representatives from the Mexican Association for Permit Holders, Operators and Suppliers of the Entertainment and Gambling Industry, have expressed concern over this lack of progress. While President Sheinbaum previously signaled a commitment to drafting a new Federal Law on Games and Raffles, the momentum from early working groups has stalled.
Stakeholders argue that the market is currently insufficiently regulated, particularly within the rapidly expanding online sector, and that the ongoing silence from the Ministry of the Interior has left the business community in a state of uncertainty.
The absence of a contemporary regulatory environment is reportedly impacting the market’s growth potential and its ability to attract significant foreign investment. Analysts note that while the Mexican gambling sector continues to expand, the rate of growth has slowed considerably compared to previous years due to the lack of legal clarity.
Legal experts suggest that the regulator’s minimal communication with the industry is a primary obstacle to a thriving market. Until the government prioritizes these reforms following the international soccer tournament, the industry will likely remain in a holding pattern, struggling to mature within an obsolete legal landscape.
