Mexico Proposes Amendments to 1947 Gambling Law Treating Harm as Public Health Priority

Mexican lawmakers are considering changes to the federal gambling framework that would increase player protections and add obligations for operators and digital platforms. Deputy Alberto Martínez Urincho, a member of the governing MORENA party, submitted the proposal to Congress with the aim of treating gambling-related harm as a public-health concern. The initiative would amend the Federal Games and Sweepstakes Law of 1947, updating Article 3 and adding a new Article 1 Bis, according to reporting by SBC News.

Strengthened Operator Controls and Advertising Limits

The proposed framework would require gambling companies authorised by SEGOB, Mexico’s Ministry of the Interior, to display public-health warnings online and at land-based venues. Operators would face stronger identity-verification requirements and greater attention to age controls, specifically addressing the country’s approximately 400 land-based gambling establishments.

Advertising would encounter tighter restrictions targeting social media, influencers and digital campaigns to guard against appeals to minors or vulnerable groups. Martínez Urincho said: “Advertising on social networks and streaming platforms sells the fantasy of easy money, trapping even those under 18 years of age in problematic dynamics.”

He also said: “We are witnessing an exponential growth of the game in Mexico. This is not a simple matter of leisure or entertainment. We are talking about a disorder that generates changes in the brain circuits, leading to compulsive behavior despite the serious physical, psychological and social consequences.”

Where the Risk Lies

The draft would prohibit betting on political developments as well as markets involving global conflicts, humanitarian crises, natural disasters and those violating human dignity. Estimates cited suggest 4% to 8% of Mexican adolescents could display problematic or dependent gambling behaviour, while gambling disorder could affect as many as 3.9 million people at a prevalence of 1% to 3%.

The proposal follows 2025 discussions ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The 2026 Budget increased the IEPS gambling tax from 30% to 50%, with the government maintaining a target of approximately MXN 41bn ($2.1bn) in gambling tax revenue. Operators criticised the higher tax burden and warned of possible effects on investment and the regulated market.

The provisions will require further legislative consideration before any measures take effect. While the public-health focus addresses real addiction concerns, the cumulative impact of new rules and elevated taxation risks constraining investment and pushing activity toward less controlled channels if the balance tips too far toward restriction.

Reporting: Casino News Daily

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