Mexico iGaming Market Regulation Overview

Mexico has a federally regulated gambling framework overseen by the General Directorate of Games and Raffles (DGJS), or Dirección General de Juegos y Sorteos in Spanish, which is part of the Ministry of the Interior (SEGOB). The country does not have a standalone online gambling licence. All online gambling must operate as an SEGOB-approved digital extension of existing land-based permit holders.

Note: Mexico regulates gambling by activity and permit scope rather than through standalone online licences. The verticals shown on this map are market classifications; specific games, betting mechanics and online channels must fall within the relevant SEGOB authorisation.

Market Opportunities

- Market scale: Mexico’s online gambling market is estimated at €0.86 billion in 2026 and forecast to grow at a 8.6% CAGR to 2031.
- Digital reach: In 2025, 104.9 million people in Mexico used the internet (86.1% of the total population).
- Mobile access: 97.3% of internet users connected via smartphone, reinforcing the case for mobile-ready products.
- Competition: Mexico’s licensed online market includes approximately 20 permit holders operating 55 authorised domains.

Gambling Licensing Checklist for Mexico

Online operators seeking to enter Mexico should first establish which federal permit structure and local entity can support the proposed activities:

Choose the market-entry structure. Since Mexico issues no standalone online licences, prohibits sub-licensing, bans new casino permits and requires physical retail venues for sports betting permits, foreign operators can enter via equity investment or B2B commercial partnerships with an existing federal permit holder.
Verify permit scope. Confirm that the permit covers the intended activities and authorised establishment, as well as its validity, conditions and online channels. Mexican permits are non-transferable, so operations and branding must remain within the permit holder’s authorised framework.
Complete online approval and controls. Internet betting requires prior SEGOB approval of the betting mechanics. Operators must also maintain controls protecting system integrity and recording required bettor and transaction data.

Online Gambling in Mexico

Regulatory Authority	General Directorate of Games and Raffles (DGJS), Ministry of the Interior (SEGOB)
Key legislation	Federal Law on Games and Raffles (1947) and its Regulations, last substantially amended on 16 November 2023
Allowed activities	Internet betting may be accepted by authorised establishments under the federal permit framework. Article 85 requires an internal control system and prior SEGOB approval of the betting mechanics.
Prohibited	Operating gambling activities without the required SEGOB permit. Activities not expressly contemplated by the Federal Law and Regulations are prohibited.
Taxation and fees	From 2026, the IEPS rate for relevant games with bets and sweepstakes is 50%. Corporate taxpayers generally pay 30% ISR. Permit-specific federal participations and state or municipal taxes may also apply.
Licence validity / duration	Permits for remote betting centres and number/symbol draw rooms have a minimum duration of one year and a maximum of 15 years. They may be extended for subsequent periods of up to 15 years, subject to compliance.
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Land-Based Gambling in Mexico

Key legislation	Federal Law on Games and Raffles (1947) and its Regulations.
Allowed activities	Among others: Frontons – Remote betting centres Number/symbol draw rooms Permitted fair activities Other authorised games and sweepstakes
Prohibited activities	Gambling without a SEGOB permit is prohibited. Slot machines are prohibited. Transitional rules allow certain existing establishments to continue operating until the expiry of the relevant permit, without extensions.
Taxation	Relevant games with bets and sweepstakes are subject to 50% IEPS from 2026. Corporate taxpayers generally also pay 30% Income Tax (ISR – Impuesto Sobre la Renta), with federal permit participations and state or municipal taxes potentially applying in addition.

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RELATED ARTICLE How to Open an Online Casino in Mexico

Launching an online casino in a specific country or region requires thorough research and careful preparation. It involves understanding the country’s market dynamics and history with gambling, online gambling, and betting regulations. A good knowledge of the culture can also influence your product’s ultimate success. This article explores these key aspects in the context of the Mexican iGaming market and offers insights to help build a locally adapted and successful online gaming venture.

Can I launch an online casino in Mexico?: Yes, but not under a standalone online-only licence. Online gambling must operate through an eligible Mexican permit holder with authorised land-based operations, and the proposed games, online channels and betting mechanics must fall within the permit’s scope and meet SEGOB requirements. International operators therefore need an appropriate local structure rather than relying on a foreign gambling licence.

As an international operator, what type of local permit holder should I partner with to enter the Mexican market?: International operators should look for a Mexican company permitted to operate a remote betting centre (centro de apuestas remotas), covering bets on authorised sporting events, competitions and other permitted games. When selecting a partner, operators should verify the permit’s validity, authorised establishment and activities, as well as whether the intended online betting mechanics have SEGOB approval. Each federal permit is linked to a specific establishment and cannot be used across multiple locations.

Can I operate an online gambling business in Mexico with an international platform provider?: Yes. Mexican permit holders can use technology from international platform providers, provided the operation remains within the permit’s authorised scope and meets SEGOB requirements. The platform must support required online betting controls, including system integrity and bettor and transaction records. Using an international provider does not replace the required Mexican permit.

Can one Mexican gambling permit cover multiple online brands or domains?: This is not specified in the regulations. Mexican regulations limit each permit to a specific event or establishment and prohibit multiple establishments from operating under a single permit. Online betting also requires an internal control system and prior approval of its betting mechanics. Since the rules do not set a specific limit on brands or domains, each site’s authorisation and product scope should be confirmed with the DGJS and permit holder before launch.

Does adding new online games require further SEGOB approval?: Not necessarily. A separate approval is not clearly required for every new game title. However, the permit must specify the authorised games, and online betting mechanics require prior approval from SEGOB through the DGJS. If a new game falls outside the permit’s scope or changes approved betting mechanics, you should seek confirmation on whether a permit modification or further approval is needed before launch.