Mexican president proposes regulating digital betting and increasing gambling taxes

During her morning press conference, Sheinbaum explained that the Ministry of the Interior, headed by Rosa Icela Rodríguez, is already drafting a bill to amend the law, given the exponential growth of online gambling platforms.

“We are going to ask Rosa Icela to come one day because we are also proposing to amend the casino law, and because digital gambling has grown much more. Not because it should be prohibited, but because it should be properly regulated,” the president stated.

Increase in the IEPS (Special Tax on Production and Services) and Fiscal Control over Games and Lotteries
The announcement came in the context of the discussion of the 2026 Economic Package, in which the Executive Branch proposes increasing the Special Tax on Production and Services (IEPS) on games, lotteries, and betting, both in-person and online, from 30 to 50 percent.

According to the Ministry of Finance, this increase would raise more than 5 billion pesos in 2026, also incorporating foreign platforms operating in Mexico without a physical establishment or tax contributions.

The document presented to Congress indicates that this measure seeks to ensure fair competition between national and international companies, in addition to improving the oversight of activities related to digital gambling.

Rosa Icela Rodríguez and Sector Oversight
Sheinbaum highlighted Rosa Icela Rodríguez's role in designing the reform and announced that the Secretary of the Interior could soon attend a conference to detail the progress.

"Rosa Icela has worked hard on this, and we can bring it to the morning press conference," said the president, emphasizing that the initiative does not seek to prohibit gambling, but rather to regulate its operation and ensure that the income generated is properly regulated and taxed.

A New Legal Framework for Gambling in Mexico
The gaming and betting industry in Mexico has undergone an accelerated transformation with the arrival of digital platforms operating online, often from abroad and without complying with national tax requirements.

Therefore, the new legal framework will seek to establish specific obligations for digital operators, protect consumers, and ensure that resources derived from gambling contribute to the financing of social programs and public projects.

The proposal also includes technological oversight mechanisms that allow for tracking and controlling gambling operations in real time, thus strengthening the transparency and legality of the sector.

Toward Modern and Responsible Regulation
With this reform, the Sheinbaum administration aims to modernize the legislation on games and lotteries to adapt them to the dynamics of the global digital market. At the same time, it seeks to promote responsible gaming, protect users, and prevent risks associated with gambling addiction and money laundering.

The president emphasized that regulating digital gambling does not seek to restrict entertainment, but rather to ensure order, transparency, and fiscal justice in an industry that has grown unchecked for years.