Mexican Gambling Laws

From the Aztecs to the Golden age of Hollywood, the history of Mexico has been steeped in the romance and excitement of gambling. From the time of the French colonial period to the rule of President Porfirio Diaz, French-style casinos were especially popular. Though the Revolution of 1911 caused (among other things!) a temporary suspension of gambling in Mexico, the glamorous Hollywood scene and alcohol prohibition in the US created a boom of sorts in border area casinos, especially in Tijuana where the legendary Agua Caliente launched many stars’ careers (among others, actress Rita Hayworth was first discovered here). However, gambling in Mexico met its offical end in 1935 when President Cardenas declared it illegal. A 1947 gaming law is still in place today, though considered vague enough to inspire debate year after year.

Sports betting was officially approved in 1989, but most other gambling endeavors were stalled by debate until after Vincente Fox took office in 2000. Despite his campaign promises, Fox failed to either overturn or clarify the limits of the 1947 anti-gambling law, so many interested parties took matters into their own hands. Some defied the law and opened underground gambling parlors, but others took a more defensible route; relying on an amparo (a court injunction protecting certain constitutional rights), businesses were officially opened featuring video gambling machines. Bingo, raffling, and certain other numbers-based games were approved but regulated by action of the Secretaria de Gobernacion in 2004.

There is still plenty of gray area where the legality of gambling is concerned. Technically, the 1947 still makes gambling illegal, but strict enforcement is so rare as to be effecively non-existent. However, the good-old “know your rights and laws, and do these things at your own risk” must be said, for your own protection and to protect the author and owners of this website. In any event, minors shouldn’t even bother wondering if gambling is illegal (the legal age in Mexico is 18).

Sports Betting — legal in Mexico, in betting parlors, over the phone, or online

  • Pari-Mutuel Betting – legal, including horse racing, dog racing and Jai Alai
  • Bullfighting — totally legal. I haven’t seen a sports book yet that takes bets, so betting at the fight may be your only choice.
  • Cockfighting — totally illegal…but also very popular and rarely bothered by the authorities

Casinos — technically illegal, though several are open and operating in full view of the authorities…and several more are in various stages of development, despite this ambiguous legality.

  • Table Games — not legalized, and nevertheless widely played in the casinos. Caribbean Poker is a big favorite.
  • Slot machines — legal status unsure, but again widely played in the casinos. Online slots may provide a more convenient experience.
  • Video Machines — legal but regulated. Bingo style and other numbers-based games very popular; legal status of video slots and poker may be different
  • Dice games — betting on dice games & domino games were legalized along with sports betting, unsure if table games like craps are included

Bingo — legal and popular, a favorite of charitable organizations (as in the U.S.)

Lottery — National Lottery an institution in Mexico; scratch-cards and online lotteries are become quite popular too