In recent years, there has been a great evolution in this sector in terms of face-to-face or online casinos. For this reason, the Association of Permit Holders, Operators and Suppliers of the Entertainment and Gambling Industry (AIEJA) have indicated that the country has the tools to compete with other markets.

This boost that they want to give to the internationalization of the industry is essential as it is a country that receives thousands of tourists every year. In addition, the sector is currently very strong. Anyone with a quick search on the internet realizes that the offer of games is wide in Mexico to bet online or in person.

  Great competitive advantages

 Given the good times that the industry is experiencing in Mexico, the president of the Association of Permit Holders, Operators and Suppliers of the Entertainment and Gambling Industry (AIEJA), Miguel Ángel Ochoa Sánchez has highlighted on several occasions that they are ready to compete with other markets due to the characteristics of the country.

“We are prepared for the globalization of the industry. We want Mexico not to be left on the side and show that it has great competitive advantages over the world. When New York, Boston and Chicago have climates of 30 degrees below zero, in Cancun, Los Cabos and Acapulco, we have a very pleasant climate”, pointed out the president of AIEJA."Without a doubt, our country can be a very important point for the tourist attraction that seeks this type of entertainment," Ochoa added last March during the III International Gambling Convention.

Precisely this aspect of tourism is fundamental since various reports highlight that many people go to casinos during their vacations with the intention of relaxing, having fun and getting good sums of money. In addition, there are travelers who only go to a city to see the game rooms thanks to their great fanaticism for slot machines, roulette, blackjack or poker.

That is why from the industry they affirm that the casinos in the most touristic areas can compete with the gaming centers in other countries, especially when it comes to people who visit Latin America.

It is important to keep in mind that the growth opportunity is great due to the number of travelers entering Mexico. Just between January and May 2023, a total of 9.56 million foreigners visited the country, according to data published by the Secretary of Tourism.

These figures represent an increase of 7.2% compared to 2022 and 6.8% compared to the pre-pandemic year 2019. Given this huge number of tourists, AIEJA has been promoting internationalization so that the gaming industry can continue to evolve.

industry growth

From the AIEJA they also highlight the evolution that the gaming industry is going through and the spectacular margin of development that they have projected for the next seven years. They expect a growth of 100% for the online area and 30% in regards to physical rooms throughout the country.

But in the midst of these good data, the representatives of the casino industry regret that the modernization of the Federal Law on Games and Draws is still pending in Mexico, since the lack of a new State policy affects the development of the sector, as well as the arrival of investors.

This law has been in force for 70 years without any reform, so it is not adapted to the reality of the sector. Currently, the industry has been given a legal framework by a regulation published in 2004, as well as some modifications made in 2012 and 2013.

The AIEJA made it clear in different statements that as long as the industry is not clearly regulated, it will not be possible to have legal certainty or provide better tax options to investors and operators that can generate greater growth in the country.