Mexico's Federal Gaming and Draws Law (Ley Federal de Juegos y Sorteos) dates to 1947 and has never been modernised for online gambling. SEGOB, through the Dirección General de Juegos y Sorteos, issues permits under this framework, but online operators typically operate from offshore licences (commonly Curaçao or Malta) with limited active federal enforcement against them.
Licensing authority: Secretaría de Gobernación (SEGOB) — Dirección General de Juegos y Sorteos (DGJS)
Key facts
- Governing law: Ley Federal de Juegos y Sorteos (1947), Reglamento de la Ley Federal de Juegos y Sorteos (2004)
- Regulator: SEGOB / Dirección General de Juegos y Sorteos (DGJS)
- Online-specific framework: —
- Reform status: Repeated legislative reform proposals since the 2010s have not passed; no modernised online-gambling statute in force as of 09/07/2026
Regulatory timeline
- — Ley Federal de Juegos y Sorteos is enacted — Mexico's founding gaming statute, predating the internet. (Source)
- — The implementing Reglamento de la Ley Federal de Juegos y Sorteos is published, governing permit conditions in more detail. (Source)
Frequently asked questions
Is online gambling legal in Mexico?
Mexico has no online-specific gambling statute. SEGOB issues permits under the 1947 federal law, primarily to land-based operators; most online-facing brands serving Mexican players operate on offshore licences, and enforcement against them has been limited to date.