Pressure is increasing on Mexican authorities to move forward with long-anticipated gambling reforms, as industry participants warn that continued delays could limit the sector’s progress. Calls for clarity have intensified, particularly as the country prepares to co-host the 2026 World Cup, with little expectation that a revised framework will be introduced before the tournament begins in June.
The current regulatory structure dates back nearly eight decades, leaving many stakeholders concerned about its suitability for a market that has expanded significantly by welcoming top game developers. While expectations had pointed to updates arriving this year, momentum appears to have slowed.
Sector Awaits Clarity On Legislative Progress
Miguel Ángel Ochoa Sánchez, who leads the Mexican Association for Permit Holders, Operators and Suppliers of the Entertainment and Gambling Industry (AIEJA), has raised concerns about the lack of progress. He described the current environment as “insufficiently regulated,” highlighting gaps that affect the online casino segment in particular.
Ochoa had anticipated that a revised framework would reach lawmakers during the legislature’s first 2026 session, which concludes on 30 April. However, he suggested that other legislative priorities have taken precedence, leaving the proposal delayed.
“It’s a question we’re all asking ourselves. In December 2024, President Sheinbaum publicly announced the need for a new Federal Law on Games and Raffles and tasked the Ministry of the Interior, as the regulatory body, with drafting a proposed bill to be submitted to the legislature for review.
“During the first quarter of 2025, the Ministry promoted working groups and invited the entire gaming sector to participate in these thematic panels to enrich the proposal. And since then, nothing. We’re still waiting, without even knowing the supposedly final version of the bill.”
His comments reflect broader frustration among operators and suppliers, many of whom say the absence of clear direction has created uncertainty across the market.
Aging Framework Limits Investment And Expansion
Industry analysts and legal experts have also pointed to the consequences of relying on outdated legislation. Ed Birkin, managing director at H2 Gambling Capital, said the lack of “formal, up-to-date regulation” has discouraged investment, even though the country presents strong growth potential.
Legal specialists Alfredo Lazcano and Andrea Avedillo Builla share similar concerns, arguing that the existing system constrains development. They also highlighted limited communication between regulators and industry participants in recent years.
“Over the last couple of years, the regulator has not maintained a particularly active or consistent dialogue with the industry.
“If we are honest, that lack of engagement is not typically a hallmark of a fully thriving market.”
According to their assessment, the direction of the sector will depend heavily on whether authorities improve coordination and provide long-awaited guidance.
Despite these obstacles, projections indicate that Mexico’s gambling market will continue to expand. Birkin expects growth to reach around 20% in 2025, a slower pace compared with the 40% recorded the previous year.
The combination of delayed reforms, limited communication, and reliance on outdated laws has left stakeholders urging faster action, particularly as international attention turns toward Mexico ahead of the World Cup.
Source:
“Industry pressure mounting for Mexico to modernise gambling regulation”, igamingbusiness.com, April 20, 2026
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