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.
Starting an Online Casino in Mexico – Key Considerations
Market Dynamics: Operators should consider building a sportsbook focused on Liga MX and top European football, plus baseball, NFL and local favourites, such as dog racing or wrestling (lucha libre). For casinos, offering Spanish‑language slots with Día de Muertos or Maya/Aztec themes could be beneficial. Aligning promos with specific dates like Cinco de Mayo, Independence Day, the World Cup or the Super Bowl may also boost engagement.
Legal Compliance: Entering the market requires a partnership with a Mexican-licensed casino or sportsbook holder – no new standalone online permits have been issued in years, and sub‑licensing ended in late 2023. Through that partner, you’ll submit certified tech docs (RNG, sportsbook engine, KYC/AML, etc.) to the Secretaría de Gobernación (SEGOB) and should plan for a 12–18 month licensing cycle.
Payment Methods: It's important to provide popular local payment methods in Mexico alongside standard options: integrate OXXO Pay, SPEI (and CoDi/DiMo), plus cards and e‑wallets (Neteller, Skrill, PayPal/Mercado Pago) all in MXN.
Starting an Online Casino in Mexico: A Complete Guide | SOFTSWISSMobile-friendly platforms are a must to leverage the smartphone usage boom in the country.Technological Infrastructure: To ease your launch, it is advisable to choose a reliable Mexico-compliant tech provider that offers solidity, pre‑vetted compliance modules, local legal support, and payment/CDN integrations.
Why Mexico?
Mexico’s online casino and betting market is among the fastest-growing in Latin America, with an estimated annual value of USD 1.96 billion by 2030. The increasing internet usage has triggered rapid growth in online play and remains an important gateway for Mexican users. The rise of smartphone technology has further increased the number of online casino players in Mexico, making mobile platforms a key access point for a significant portion of the population: internet penetration now stands at 83.3% (110 million users), and the country counts 127 million active mobile phones
Mexican players have strong preferences for sports betting, especially football, horse racing, greyhound racing, and Jai Alai. Land-based gambling is closely tied to the country’s tourism industry, with many entertainment venues located near the US border.
Traditional games like lotteries remain fully legal and widely popular. Bullfighting and cockfighting, while culturally significant and permitted at the federal level, are subject to varying local laws: some states allow them openly, others impose restrictions or have banned such activities altogether due to animal welfare concerns.
With its love for games and growing digital habits, Mexico has indeed become fertile ground for online casino and sportsbook ventures. Yet, every rose has its thorn, and Mexico is no exception: regulations are always evolving, requiring vigilant monitoring. Operators must adhere strictly to advertising rules, responsible gaming, and data storage regulations if they want to stay compliant and successful in the market.
Is Online Gambling Legal in Mexico?
Yes, but with restrictions. Online gambling in Mexico is legal exclusively for operators who already hold a valid land-based casino licence issued by the Secretaría de Gobernación (SEGOB). In practice, this framework is virtually closed to new entrants: no new land-based casino licences have been issued for many years, and there is no established process for newcomers to secure one independently.
As a result, the only viable route for foreign or new operators is to partner with, invest in, or acquire a stake in an existing licence holder – typically, a well-established Mexican operator with proven local presence and compliance history.
The Secretaría de Gobernación regulates and oversees all compliance. Any attempt to access the market without a robust local partner or without meeting the full spectrum of legal requirements is unlikely to succeed and carries significant legal risk.
Online Casino Licensing in Mexico
Mexico's gambling laws have historically aimed to restrict gambling activities since the Mexican Revolution. Influenced by the Catholic Church and liberation movements, President Lázaro Cárdenas implemented a ban on most forms of gambling in 1948. However, certain activities like dominoes, finger games, and occasional cockfights remained largely unrestricted. Sports betting was also relatively prohibited until high demand led to its legalisation.
The advent of internet technology in the early 2000s prompted the government to re‑evaluate its stance. SEGOB began issuing more licences in a few years than in the previous half‑century.
In November 2023, significant reforms to the Regulation of the Federal Law of Gaming and Sweepstakes were enacted, including a ban on slot machines in all casinos and gambling establishments. Once a licence expires (typically after 15 years), the operator must cease operations unless a new licence is granted. These regulatory changes are expected to impact the online gambling sector very positively.
Today, any local operator must hold a land‑based permit before applying for an online extension.
While foreign companies without Mexican licences are not formally authorised to operate, they are not actively blocked from offering services to Mexican players, as long as they partner with a local, already licensed, brick-and-mortar iGaming business.