Legislation

Controversy in Mexico: New Anti Money Laundering Law Puts Gambling Participation Under Scrutiny

Monday 30 de June 2025 / 12:00

⏱ 1 min read

(Mexico City) – The Mexican Senate approved the new Anti-Money Laundering Law, generating controversy by including gambling as a possible means for operations with illicit funds.

Controversy in Mexico: New Anti Money Laundering Law Puts Gambling Participation Under Scrutiny

This week, the Senate approved the controversial Anti-Money Laundering Law , a reform that seeks to toughen anti-money laundering measures but has drawn strong criticism from the business, entertainment, and luxury industries.

The new regulations expand the list of activities vulnerable to potential transactions involving illicit proceeds, including the purchase of high-value goods such as jewelry, watches, works of art, and luxury vehicles, as well as casino betting, gambling, and vehicle and property armoring services .

The main objective of the legislation is to close legal loopholes used by criminal networks to launder money in traditionally less regulated sectors. However, business leaders and legal experts warn that the new provisions could stifle investment and generate uncertainty in legitimate markets.

"We agree with combating organized crime, but this law could criminalize perfectly legal economic activities," said a representative of the National Chamber of the Gaming Industry.

In addition, there are calls for greater transparency in transactions, with new requirements for reporting cash transactions and stricter oversight by the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) .

Despite criticism, the government defends the reform as a necessary step to meet international standards on the prevention of money laundering and terrorist financing.

The law now goes to the Executive Branch for promulgation and publication in the Official Gazette of the Federation, which will mark the start of its implementation in the coming months.

 

Categoría:Legislation

Tags: Sin tags

País: Mexico

Región: Central America and Caribbean

Event

SiGMA North America 2026

01 de September 2026

LatAm Regulators Discussed Illegal Gambling and Innovation at SiGMA North America

(Mexico City, SoloAzar Exclusive).- The panel "The Red Pen Forum: Regulators Respond to the Industry," held during SiGMA North America 2026, brought together representatives from Uruguay, Argentina, Puerto Rico, and Honduras to analyze regulatory challenges, digital transformation, illegal gambling, and the need to adapt lotteries for new generations. The conference was moderated by Rodrigo Cigliutti, Executive Director of CIBELAE (Ibero-American Corporation of State Lotteries and Betting), and featured the participation of Marcelo Visconti, National Director of Lotteries and Quinielas of Uruguay; Carlos Moyano, President of IAFAS Entre Ríos, Argentina; Heidi Hernández Olivo, Deputy Secretary of the Puerto Rico Lottery; and Lissa Mencía, General Director of Lottery Operations and Games at Loto Honduras.

Monday 28 Sep 2026 / 12:00

SiGMA North America Addressed Crisis Management in iGaming  

(Mexico, SoloAzar Exclusive).- During SiGMA North America 2026, Rosa Ochoa, founder of the Blue Global Gaming platform and strategic advisor for gaming operators; Iliana María Pineda Echeverri, Chief Legal & Compliance Officer at Wplay.co; Iraid Rosales, Country Manager Mexico at Amusnet; and Elizabeth Maya Cano, Executive President of CORNAZAR, analyzed the key factors in managing crisis situations within the iGaming industry, with a special focus on transparency, communication, technology, and preparation.

Friday 25 Sep 2026 / 12:00

Affiliates and Acquisition: Keys to Regulated Markets in North America

(Mexico City, SoloAzar Exclusive).- During SiGMA North America 2026, Cristopher Guzmán Reyes, Head of Affiliates at Logrand Entertainment Group; Guga Júnior, influencer and slots expert at Scalar Partners; Andrés Gómez, Head of Latin America Go-to-Market Strategy at Admattic; Yambot Aguilera, Gaming and Finance Sales Director at Google; and Paula Gabriel Jiménez, Advertising Client Growth Director for Microsoft at Aleph, analyzed the state and provincial affiliate ecosystem in North America, as well as the acquisition challenges in regulated markets.

Thursday 24 Sep 2026 / 12:00

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