This acceleration is taking place in one of the fastest-growing regulated gaming regions in the world, where the LATAM online gaming and betting market is projected to surpass US$10 billion in gross gaming revenue in the coming years, driven mainly by Brazil, Mexico, Colombia, and Peru.

But it is essential to stay on top of these changes before 2026 begins, especially as Brazil enters the first fully regulated year of its market and Mexico intensifies its enforcement of AML regulations.

iGaming in Latin America in 2025: Overview The year 2025 pushed Latin America toward stricter regulatory standards, more rigorous enforcement, and clearer expectations for operators. Brazil moved to full federal oversight, Mexico employed financial and security tools to control casino activity, and other markets reinforced standards for responsible gaming and anti-money laundering.

Regulation became more defined

Brazil began operating under Law 14.790/2023, with the Secretariat of Prizes and Betting (SPA) of the Ministry of Finance as the federal regulator. The SPA now authorizes, supervises, and sanctions betting operators.

Peru continued implementing Law 31557/31806 and Supreme Decree 005-2023-MINCETUR, giving the country one of the most transparent online legal frameworks in the region.

Law enforcement and anti-money laundering pressure increased

In Mexico, the Secretariat of Finance and Public Credit (SHCP) strengthened actions to prevent money laundering in casinos and coordinated federal operations that led to the suspension of 13 casinos for alleged illicit activity.

Peru’s SBS issued Resolution 03622-2025, establishing anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing (AML/CFT) rules specifically for online gambling and sports betting companies under MINCETUR.

Responsible gaming became non-negotiable

Brazil’s SPA implemented policies focused on protecting the mental health of bettors, a centralized self-exclusion system, and player-defined limits as part of its regulatory plan.

Colombia’s updated responsible gaming standards (Resolution 20244000021144) entered their first year of full enforcement. Their explicit goal is to foster a culture of responsible gaming, with education, early warning signals, and support mechanisms as mandatory elements.

Advertising and platform visibility were reinforced

Argentina continued enforcing gambling advertising regulations under Law 6.330, which requires mandatory warnings and design standards across all media.

Chile’s Supreme Court ordered internet service providers to block unlicensed betting sites, applying the restrictions imposed by the court until a new online gambling law is approved.

Brazil Outlook for 2026: The Market to Watch Brazil begins 2026 with its first full year of federal oversight and a clearer vision of how the fixed-odds betting market will mature. At the end of 2025, the Secretariat of Prizes and Betting (SPA) of the Ministry of Finance launched a public consultation on its 2026–2027 Regulatory Agenda, signaling the direction of the next phase of regulation.

Framework Enhancements in 2026 After observing the functioning of the regulated market in 2025, the SPA proposes updating several fundamental components of the framework in 2026. These updates focus on:

Authorization processes

Supervision mechanisms

Sanctioning procedures

This indicates that 2026 will be a year of strengthening the enforcement environment rather than introducing entirely new structures.

Reevaluation of Anti-Money Laundering and Lottery Regulations in 2027 The SPA also plans a review in 2027 of:

Anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing rules, incorporating data and risk assessments collected during the first years of oversight.

Regulations for the early collection of popular savings products and concession-based lotteries.

These reviews reflect a shift toward deeper financial integrity controls and greater consistency across all lottery-related verticals.

New Regulatory Topics Proposed for 2026 The SPA’s proposed agenda also introduces three new topics driven by market behavior and social concerns:

Use of physical digital terminals for fixed-odds betting and lottery operations.

Oversight of affiliate advertising in internet applications.

Development of a player risk profile monitoring tool, allowing bettors to view and track their gaming behavior through an integrated SPA system.

Together, these topics show Brazil’s intent to regulate not only operator systems but also distribution channels, marketing ecosystems, and player protection technology.

Why 2026 Is Brazil’s First “Steady-State” Year

2024: Laws were approved.

2025: Regulatory structure and ordinances were implemented.

2026: Supervision, enforcement, and daily compliance take control.

For operators, this means predictable rules, clearer obligations, and a regulator with authority to oversee operations. Entering Brazil in 2026 requires full readiness for regulatory compliance, as well as technical, financial, and responsible gaming measures, as the country moves toward active oversight.

Mexico Outlook for 2026: Enforcement and Reforms on the Table 

Mexico enters 2026 with two clear signals:

Gambling and casinos continue to be considered high-risk activities for anti-money laundering efforts.

There is active legislative work to update the 1947 gambling law, although nothing has yet been approved.

Anti-Money Laundering and “Vulnerable Activities” Remain a Priority According to the Federal Law for the Prevention and Identification of Transactions with Illicit Funds, casinos, betting games, contests, and raffles are classified as “vulnerable activities” and must comply with strict reporting standards and customer due diligence through the SAT’s anti-money laundering portal.

What This Means for 2026 

Even without new gambling legislation, operators should expect strict and ongoing enforcement of anti-money laundering obligations, monitoring of casino and betting flows, and close scrutiny by the SHCP, UIF, and SEGOB as part of Mexico’s broader anti-money laundering strategy.

Active Legislative Work to Modernize Gambling Law Mexico still relies on the Federal Law of Games and Lotteries, in force since 1947, with permits and oversight managed by the Ministry of the Interior through the General Directorate of Games and Lotteries.

The Ministry of the Interior has publicly stated that there is institutional interest in modifying the 1947 gambling and lottery law to reflect today’s reality.

What this means for 2026: 

Mexico enters 2026 with real legislative proposals already presented to modernize gambling regulation. Congress may debate and refine these initiatives during 2026; until something is enacted, operators continue working under the existing law but must be prepared for possible changes in structure, licensing, and sanctions once reform advances.

Other LATAM Markets in 2026 at a Glance

Peru — 2026 is the first full operational year under MINCETUR’s updated framework for online gaming and betting, following the creation of the Directorate of Authorization and Registration of Remote Gaming and Remote Sports Betting in the revised Organization and Functions Regulation. AML obligations also intensify as SBS Resolution 03622-2025 (AML/CFT standards for remote gaming and betting) enters its full implementation cycle.

Colombia — Coljuegos continues executing its 2023–2026 Strategic Plan, prioritizing the strengthening of legal gambling, reducing illegality, and reinforcing responsible gaming policies. Online concession requirements were updated through a 2025 resolution amending Resolution 20161200025334, meaning that by 2026 operators face new technical and financial obligations for online gaming.

Chile 

— Online betting legislation is advancing: the Chilean Senate gave general approval to the online betting regulation bill (Bulletin 14.838-03), designed to create the first legal framework for online gambling, including licenses, consumer protection, responsible gaming safeguards, and compliance mechanisms. The initiative is currently under detailed review by Senate committees before final approval.

Argentina (Buenos Aires City) 

— Responsible gaming and advertising rules remain in force under Law 6330 of CABA, which regulates pathological gambling prevention and includes principles for responsible gambling advertising. The law requires gambling advertising to respect these principles and communications to comply with limitations designed to protect consumers. The CABA Legislature also registered in 2025 a bill (File 609-D-2025) titled “Regulation of Advertising for Betting Houses and Virtual Casinos,” proposing stricter rules for promoting online betting and virtual casinos, which remained in committee until March 2025.

What This Means for Operators

Brazil 

For operators focusing on Brazil in 2026, regulatory compliance preparation is no longer a launch-phase task but an ongoing operational requirement. Licensing, AML reporting, responsible gaming tools, and marketing controls are now subject to active oversight by the Secretariat of Prizes and Betting (SPA).

Platforms entering or scaling in Brazil must be technically prepared for audits, data sharing, player monitoring, and regulatory adjustments. This means operational flexibility and regulator-ready architecture become essential to compete in a stable market.

Mexico

In Mexico, operators must plan for strict and continuous enforcement of AML regulations under the current legal framework while adapting to potential regulatory reforms. Gambling remains classified as a high-risk activity, increasing scrutiny over payment flows, customer due diligence, and transaction reporting.

Even without new legislation in place, the intensity of enforcement alone requires strong compliance processes, transparent reporting, and robust financial controls to operate sustainably.

Other LATAM Markets 

Across Latin America, regulators are converging toward clearer standards, stricter oversight, and standardized expectations. Operators expanding regionally must simultaneously manage multiple regulatory models, each with distinct obligations for licensing, AML, and responsible gaming.

Scalable platforms that support jurisdiction-specific configurations reduce operational friction and enable faster market entry as regulations evolve.

Conclusion 

Latin American iGaming closes 2025 with clearer rules, stricter enforcement, and far less room for interpretation in key markets. In 2026, the focus shifts from creating regulatory frameworks to operating within them, as regulators move from implementation to supervision and refinement.

For operators, this means 2026 is all about execution. Regulatory compliance must be integrated into products, payments, and marketing from day one—not afterward. Local payment flows, AML controls, and responsible gaming tools must align with each jurisdiction’s expectations, while advertising and player communications require stricter discipline.