A federal legislator in Mexico has started the process to repeal the nation’s archaic gambling laws. But as Damian Martinez of SBC Noticias reports, progress hinges on the direct involvement of high-ranking MORENA officials who are cautiously waiting in the sidelines.

The Chamber of Deputies of Mexico has witnessed Ricardo Mejía Berdeja, a federal legislator of Partido del Trabajo (The Workers’ Party), pledge to repeal and replace Mexico’s analogue gambling laws “as soon as possible”.

Yesterday, Berdeja took the stand and promised to deliver a full overhaul of the Federal Law on Gambling and Lottery Games of 1947, with the “intention of generating greater certainty and security for national consumers.”

As reported by SBC Noticias, the proposal seeks to modernise a legal framework widely seen as obsolete and ill-suited to the realities of Mexico’s fast-expanding casino and online betting sectors.

Berdeja stressed that the new legislation must “place people at the centre of gambling regulation by prioritising consumer protection, player welfare, and responsible gambling habits”.

“This reform is not about expanding gambling,” Berdeja said, “it’s about building a system that guarantees fairness, transparency and trust. All gambling and raffle games must be conducted responsibly, safely and transparently—safeguarding the rights of participants, licensees and operators alike.”

New Gambling Sheriff

At the heart of the reform stands the proposal to create the National Institute of Gaming and Lotteries, a new decentralised authority under the Ministry of the Interior.

The body would assume full responsibility for licensing, supervision and sanctioning, replacing what Berdeja described as “years of discretion, uncertainty and opacity in oversight”.

“A dedicated institute will finally bring accountability to a sector that has operated in the shadows of outdated laws,” he told deputies. “Regulation should not be arbitrary—it must serve citizens, not privilege.”

The reform also proposes a one-licence-per-establishment model, designed to foster fair competition and limit market concentration. The new regulator would be empowered to combat illegal gambling, close unauthorised venues, and impose fines of up to 200,000 minimum wages on violators.

Salud Y Seguridad

Berdeja’s initiative reframes gambling as a public health issue, setting out strict measures to prevent addiction and protect players.

The new law would raise the minimum gambling age to 21, establish voluntary self-exclusion programmes, and ban ATMs within gaming venues. Operators would be obliged to provide players with clear information about risks and rights, while betting limits would be tied to individual financial capacity.

“We must recognise that irresponsible gambling has real social consequences,” Berdeja warned. “Our aim is not prohibition, but prevention—education, transparency and care for those at risk.”

The bill further calls for education campaigns on responsible gambling and support programmes for vulnerable groups, including minors, people with disabilities, and individuals struggling with addiction.

Drawing on examples from Brazil and the US, Berdeja argued that clear regulatory frameworks generate tax revenue, jobs and safer gaming environments.

The reform seeks to harmonise Mexico’s gambling system with international standards, protect consumers and ensure that a portion of gaming taxes funds healthcare, cultural development and sport.

“Mexico must join the ranks of nations that view regulation as a tool for progress,” he said. “The new Federal Law on Gambling and Lotteries will protect consumers, guarantee transparency, and strengthen Mexico’s standing as a safe and responsible gaming market.”

MORENA quiet in the sidelines

Despite Berdeja’s pledge, the MORENA government has yet to show whether it will support any mandate to reform Mexico’s 80-year-old gambling laws.

The remit of this 78-year-old framework has come under renewed scrutiny as President Claudia Sheinbaum’s draft budget introduces a proposed “sin tax” on gambling, effectively doubling the sector’s net income tax burden to 50%. The measure was tabled without any prior consultation on the economic impact such an increase could have on one of Mexico’s fastest-growing entertainment industries.

Questioned by Deputies in September, Interior Secretary Rosa Icela Rodríguez acknowledged that the government “recognises the flaws and liabilities” of Mexico’s current gambling regime and “is aware that reform is inevitable.”

Yet, despite growing calls for clarity, the MORENA administration has not committed to an overhaul of gambling regulation — with President Sheinbaum still seeking to pass her first national budget proposals since taking office.

“Mexico has reached a crossroads,” concluded Berdeja. “Either we continue with outdated laws that benefit no one, or we build a modern, transparent system that works for all citizens.”

While Berdeja sits within the Partido del Trabajo, a nominal ally of the ruling coalition, his reformist stance places him at odds with the government’s cautious approach to legislative change. In practice, a full overhaul of Mexico’s ancient gambling laws can only succeed with the backing of MORENA’s senior leadership — a mandate that remains elusive.

Analysts note that the political urgency for reform may intensify in the run-up to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which Mexico will co-host alongside the US and Canada. Without a modern, transparent framework, Mexico risks entering the global sporting spotlight with a gambling regime still anchored in the post-war era.