Mexico regulates gambling at federal level through the Secretaría de Gobernación (SEGOB). Online casinos are legal when they operate under a SEGOB permit, and a large number of sites compete for Mexican players, licensed and unlicensed alike. The rules are old and are now under review, so it is worth knowing how the system works. This guide covers the legal situation, how to check a permit, the risks of unlicensed sites, tax on winnings and where to find help.
Is online gambling legal in Mexico?
Yes, at operators with a valid permit. The legal basis is the Ley Federal de Juegos y Sorteos of 1947 and its regulation of 2004. Under the regulation, betting and games of chance may only be offered with prior written permission from SEGOB. Online casino games and sports betting are offered by companies that hold such a permit and are authorised to run them on the internet.
The law was written long before the internet, and online gaming is not described in detail. Much depends on the regulator's interpretation and on the terms of each permit. In November 2025 the federal government announced a full review of the gambling sector, and by October 2026 SEGOB had finished a proposal for a new gambling law. The rules for online casinos may therefore change.
Gambling is open to adults aged 18 and over. Players who use licensed sites are not breaking any law.
Who regulates online casinos in Mexico?
Permits are granted and supervised by the Dirección General de Juegos y Sorteos (DGJS), part of SEGOB. The DGJS approves the games and platforms a permit holder may use, carries out inspections and can sanction or close operations that break the rules.
Tax matters are handled by the Servicio de Administración Tributaria (SAT), and several states also levy their own taxes on gambling, which is why tax withheld on prizes can differ depending on where you live.
How do you check whether an online casino has a SEGOB permit?
A licensed operator must display its permit number and the name of the permit holder on its website, usually in the footer. The DGJS publishes the list of permit holders and the websites they are authorised to operate on gob.mx. Comparing the two is the only reliable check, because a logo or a permit number on its own can be copied.
- Find the permit number and the name of the permit holder on the casino's website.
- Open the DGJS section on gob.mx and find the list of permit holders and authorised websites.
- Check that the permit holder is listed and that the exact web address appears among its authorised sites.
- Make sure the site asks for identity verification and shows responsible gambling tools.
- If the site or permit is not on the list, do not register or deposit.
What are the risks of unlicensed online casinos?
Many sites that accept Mexican players have no SEGOB permit and operate from abroad. On these sites SEGOB cannot handle your complaint if a withdrawal is refused, an account is closed or bonus terms are applied unfairly. Consumer protection through PROFECO is also hard to enforce against a company with no presence in Mexico.
Unlicensed sites do not withhold Mexican tax on prizes, which can leave you responsible for declaring winnings yourself without any record from the operator. They are also not required to verify your age or offer the protections that permit holders must provide.
- No SEGOB oversight or complaint route
- Limited consumer protection against foreign companies
- No tax withheld, so declaration falls entirely on you
- No obligation to verify age or offer player protection tools
Which payment methods do Mexican players use?
Licensed operators usually accept SPEI bank transfers, Visa and Mastercard debit and credit cards, cash payments at OXXO and other convenience stores, CoDi and Mercado Pago, all in Mexican pesos. Withdrawals normally go back by SPEI to an account in your own name.
The fact that a site accepts these methods does not mean it holds a permit. Payment processors and convenience stores do not check gambling permits, so always confirm the operator on the DGJS list.
Do you pay tax on online casino winnings in Mexico?
Yes. Prizes from games with betting are taxable income. When a licensed operator pays a prize, it withholds federal income tax (ISR) at 1% of the prize without deductions if the state where you live charges a local tax on prizes of 6% or less. Where the state rate is higher than 6%, the federal withholding rises to 21%. Mexico City, for example, charges a local tax of 6%, so the combined withholding there is 7%.
The federal withholding is a provisional payment, not always the final amount. Prizes count towards your annual income and may need to be included in your annual tax return. Keep the withholding records your operator gives you and check your situation with the SAT or an accountant.
How can you protect yourself and where can you get help?
Mexico does not have a single national self-exclusion register for online gambling. Licensed operators provide account tools such as deposit limits, time limits and self-exclusion, and you should set them before you start playing. Your bank can also help you block gambling transactions on your cards.
If gambling is affecting your finances, work or family, talk to someone. The national Línea de la Vida on 800 911 2000 offers free, confidential guidance on mental health and addictions 24 hours a day and can refer you to treatment through the public health system. Centros de Atención Primaria en Adicciones and Jugadores Anónimos groups across the country also support people with gambling problems and their families.
- Línea de la Vida: 800 911 2000, free and 24 hours
- Public addiction care centres (Centros de Atención Primaria en Adicciones)
- Jugadores Anónimos: self-help groups nationwide
- Deposit limits and self-exclusion in your casino account
Myths vs facts
- Myth: Any casino that accepts pesos and OXXO payments is licensed in Mexico.
- Fact: Payment methods are not proof of a permit. Check the operator and its website on the DGJS list.
- Myth: Casino winnings in Mexico are tax free.
- Fact: Prizes are taxable. Licensed operators withhold federal ISR and, in many states, a local tax as well.
- Myth: A permit number in the footer is enough proof.
- Fact: Numbers can be copied. Confirm that the exact web address is authorised under that permit on gob.mx.
- Myth: The current rules are settled for years to come.
- Fact: The government is reviewing the sector and SEGOB has drafted a new gambling law, so the rules may change.
Before you claim
- Permit number and permit holder shown on the site
- Permit holder and exact website found on the DGJS list on gob.mx
- Age 18 or over and identity verified
- Deposit and time limits set before you play
- Withholding records kept for your annual tax return
- Withdrawals only to an account in your own name
- Línea de la Vida 800 911 2000 saved