From the Minister’s Office to Street-Corner Gambling Machines: A Week in Mexican Gambling Licensing
Reports on permit issuance, an arrest warrant and gambling-machine seizures put Mexico’s licensing system under scrutiny, with key claims unverified.
2 Min Read
Overview
- Reports on permit issuance, an arrest warrant and gambling-machine seizures put Mexico’s licensing system under scrutiny, with key claims unverified.
Above: An image accompanying Mexican outlet Político MX’s report on an investigation into SEGOB’s issuance of permits; below: Gambling machines seized in Sonoyta, Sonora (image source: El Mitotero)
October 17, in Sonoyta, a border town in Sonora. Personnel from the state’s Criminal Investigation Agency (AMIC) and the Ministry of Defence searched a property and removed 43 gambling machines, along with a quantity of suspected drugs. Local outlets El Mitotero and Expresión Sonora reported on the operation.
Such “maquinitas” (small gambling machines) are not unusual in Mexico and can often be seen in small street-side shops. The real questions lie further upstream: who is entitled to operate gambling businesses, and how are permits issued? This week, part of the answer was brought to light.
Where the Permits Came From
An investigation by the anti-corruption organisation Mexicans Against Corruption and Impunity (MCCI) attracted attention after reports by Político MX and Código Magenta on October 14 and 19. The investigation alleges that, during Adán Augusto López’s tenure as interior minister from 2021 to 2023, Manuel Marcué Díaz, the former head of the Ministry of the Interior’s (SEGOB) General Directorate of Games and Draws, issued online betting permits to companies linked to Amílcar Olán’s family, including one connected to Olán’s grandfather.
These are all findings from MCCI’s investigation as relayed by the media. This article has not seen responses from the people concerned.
Another Arrest Warrant
On October 20, Código Magenta reported that a federal judge had issued a new arrest warrant for casino businessman Rocha Cantú, focusing on money laundering and involving financial operations of approximately 3 billion pesos. This figure comes from media reports and has not been verified.
Mexico’s gambling industry remains governed by the 1947 Federal Gambling Law and its 2004 implementing regulations, with permits issued by SEGOB. The transparency of permit issuance has been questioned for many years; this time, there are specific names and years.
If MCCI’s investigation prompts an official review, online betting permits issued between 2021 and 2023 could be re-examined. That is only speculation. What is certain is that, from the minister’s office to border towns, the casino business is appearing increasingly often in the case files of anti-money-laundering and anti-drug investigations.
Sources
Cite This Article
Topics In This Story
Related Countries
Daniel Tan is an editor at AskSpinner News who believes industry writing can be informed, approachable and engaging. Daniel turns complex subjects into accessible articles and reports, giving readers a welcoming way into unfamiliar topics and room to build their understanding as they read.
More From This Author
