Yes, online casinos are legal in Mexico in 2026 under a federal framework supervised by SEGOB (the Interior Ministry): operators need a federal concession or a partnership with a local license holder, according to Tribuna. The big change this year is fiscal: the IEPS tax on gambling rose from 30% to 50% of gross gaming revenue from January 1, 2026. Here is the full picture.

Are online casinos legal in Mexico?

Mexico regulates gambling under the Federal Law on Games and Draws of 1947, modernized by later regulations that expressly allow digital betting. According to Tribuna, since early 2026 operators must hold a federal concession or partner with a local license holder to operate legally. Foreign licenses (Malta, Curacao) are not recognized by the regulator DGJS, but Mexico has no blocking system for unauthorized sites, so players can still access offshore casinos at their own risk.

How the SEGOB license works

The federal concession covers the operation of games and draws in national territory, including online. Only the federal permit authorizes capturing bets in Mexico, according to casasdeapuestas.io. Operators with a SEGOB license include the big local groups and the international brands that partnered with them. For players, the license is the only protection recognized by Mexican authorities.

What changed with the regulation in 2026

The single largest change is fiscal, according to gamingcompliance.io: a decree published in November 2025 raised the federal IEPS rate on gambling from 30% to 50% of gross gaming revenue effective January 1, 2026, and extended the liability to foreign-resident operators and digital intermediation platforms serving people in Mexican territory. For operators, margins compress; for the market, it pushes consolidation toward licensed, well-capitalized players.

Why Mexico is such an important market

Mexico is the largest Spanish-speaking gambling market and one of the largest in the world, with payments deeply localized (OXXO Pay, SPEI, Astropay) and a sports culture that drives betting volume year-round. For operators, winning Mexico means winning the center of gravity of Spanish-speaking LATAM.

Working the market with local creators requires the SEGOB rules built into every brief, which is how we run campaigns in Mexico and across our iGaming practice. Our guide on choosing an iGaming influencer marketing agency covers what operators should demand.

Frequently asked questions

Are online casinos legal in Mexico? Yes, under the federal framework supervised by SEGOB. Operators need a federal concession or a partnership with a local license holder, according to Tribuna. Offshore sites are accessible but offer no local protection.

Which casinos have a SEGOB license? The licensed operators are the local groups with federal concessions and the international brands partnered with them. Only the federal permit authorizes capturing bets in Mexico, according to casasdeapuestas.io.

What happens with the regulation in 2026? The main change is fiscal: the IEPS on gambling rose from 30% to 50% of gross gaming revenue from January 1, 2026, and now also reaches foreign operators serving Mexican players, according to gamingcompliance.io.