Mexico's Secretariat of the Interior (Segob) has nearly completed an internal review of proposed reforms to the Federal Law on Games and Draws. After clearance by the Security Cabinet, the bill may be submitted to Congress.
Segob Secretary Rosa Icela Rodríguez confirmed the progress on 3 September at President Claudia Sheinbaum's morning press conference at the National Palace. "On the president's instruction, we are conducting a review. The internal review is nearly complete across all government departments that may have a connection to casinos, betting establishments and entertainment centres," she said. No timeline has been given for Cabinet review or congressional submission. The draft text and its provisions have not been published.
The current law dates from 1947. Rodríguez cited technological changes in the gambling industry as the reason for reform. She also mentioned enforcement against venues suspected of money laundering or tax fraud: 13 casino closures have been reported publicly, with the total number of problem sites estimated at around 20. Investigations are being conducted jointly with the Attorney General's Office and the Financial Intelligence Unit.
Rodríguez warned operators that attempts to bribe Segob staff would result in business closures, and that officials who accepted money would face criminal prosecution. She reiterated that the ministry does not use representatives or intermediaries and called for extortion attempts to be reported.
Rodríguez first made public statements on the reform in September 2025 before the Chamber of Deputies, when she spoke of plans to update the 1947 law, create conditions for legal investment and introduce sanctions for money laundering. The Chamber approved a betting bill on 3 December 2014, but the Senate rejected it—the 1947 law remains in force.
