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Gambling License

Gaming License in Mexico

Gofaizen & Sherle helps you apply for a gaming permit in Mexico.

Leonid Turok

Last updated: 30 October 2026 8 min read

Fact Checked by: Kiryl Zaremba

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Overview

Service Snapshot

Planning a gaming business in Mexico starts with checking which activities a permit can cover. Gofaizen & Sherle helps assess your plans before you commit to an application.
Gofaizen & Sherle reviews what you plan to offer, who will apply and where you’ll operate. We draft the application using the information you provide.
You receive an assessment of your permit options and a draft application for the agreed activities. Mexico’s Ministry of the Interior (SEGOB) decides whether to issue a permit and which activities it covers.

Gaming Authorization and SEGOB

Mexico’s 1947 Federal Gaming Law requires a federal permit. The Ministry of the Interior (SEGOB) administers permits through its gaming directorate (DGJS). Each permit specifies which activities you can offer at one establishment or event.

Under Article 20(I) of the Gaming Regulations, only commercial companies formed under Mexican law can apply for permits for remote betting centers or number or symbol drawing halls. Article 33(I) sets an initial term of 1 to 15 years for remote betting center permits.

Before choosing an application route, consider these questions:

Which permit category covers your planned activities?
Which authorized establishment would handle online bets?
What do you need before filing, and what will it cost?
Which permissions do you need in your other target markets?

Gofaizen & Sherle helps answer these questions and use the results to build a workable project structure.

Covered Activities

Remote Betting

Under Article 85 of the Gaming Regulations, authorized establishments can accept online bets with transaction controls and SEGOB’s prior approval of the betting process.
Drawings and Raffles

Check who can apply and which terms apply under the relevant drawing category. Article 85 does not automatically cover drawings.
Fairs

The permit covers a specific fair and activity. Confirm the applicant, duration and permitted channels.

Is This Route Right for Your Business?

Positive Signs

You know which products you want to offer, which markets you plan to serve and who will apply.
For online betting, you have identified an authorized establishment and can explain how it will take and record bets.

Warning Signs

You plan to offer poker or other casino products. Articles 12 and 91 restrict slots and exclude cards or their equivalents, dice, roulette and slots from drawings.
You’re relying on existing operator rights. Check the permit date, permitted activities and operating status first. A foreign license or company registration alone gives you no permission to offer gaming in Mexico.

Initial Assessment of Your Project

Permit categories for your games and the channels you plan to use to accept bets.: Games and Betting Channels
Which of your target markets need a separate review of local gaming rules.: Player Markets
Whether your company meets the incorporation and eligibility requirements for the relevant permit category.: Applicant Company
Proposed location, applicable approvals and the local authority responsible for issuing a favorable opinion.: Establishment and Local Approvals
Documents showing how your platform accepts and records bets and protects transactions from manipulation.: Platform and Betting Records
Documents to prepare, services covered by our proposal and any work for Mexican counsel or notaries.: Application and Work Plan

Our expertise

Why Gofaizen & Sherle?

We combine legal, regulatory and technical expertise to support asset tokenization projects from initial assessment to implementation.

Corporate structuring Company formation and cross-border business setup.
Financial regulations Application preparation and regulator-facing documentation.
Compliance & Governance AML/CTF frameworks and post-authorisation support.

What we handle

Project assessment
Structuring & Classification
Documentation
Implementation support

Leonid Turok

Associate Partner, Head of Consulting (iGaming & Forex)

leonid@gofaizen-sherle.com

The Application Process

Confirm the permit route

You and Gofaizen & Sherle identify the products, applicant and establishment. Refer unresolved products for legal review.
Set up the company and prepare the filing

You and corporate counsel set up the company. Gofaizen & Sherle can coordinate local acts with Mexican counsel or a notary. Gofaizen & Sherle drafts the application and assembles records with you and your technical providers. You confirm the facts and sign.
Submit the application

The applicant files it. DGJS may request more information. Gofaizen & Sherle can help prepare responses as agreed.
Meet the launch requirements

SEGOB sets the permitted activities and conditions. Start operating after you receive the permit and meet the applicable launch requirements.

What We Need From You

Articles 21–22 of the Gaming Regulations set document requirements by permit category.

Company and Owners

Corporate and shareholder records and proof of who can represent the applicant.
Operating and Financial Plans

Proposed activities, operating experience, business plans, geographic and financial viability studies, investment sources and workforce projections.
Technology and Controls

Documents showing how the platform handles bets and what controls it uses.
Proposed Establishment

Obtain a favorable opinion from the relevant state, municipality or alcaldía under Article 22(IX). Meet applicable land-use, construction and commercial requirements.

Operating After Authorization

Your permit comes with ongoing obligations for betting records, tax reporting, customer identification and advertising.

Record player identities, account details and each bet’s date, time, number, amount and selection under Article 85.
Protect the betting system against manipulation.
Give Mexico’s Tax Administration Service (SAT) real-time access, submit daily data and meet the security requirements that apply under Annex 17 of the 2026 tax rules.
Check which certification and monthly reporting requirements apply to your system provider.
Keep customer identification records as required by applicable anti-money-laundering rules.
Under Article 9, keep advertising accurate and include the permit number, a notice that minors may not participate and a responsible-play message.

Unauthorized activity can lead to closure. Article 151 lists false application information, permit breaches and prohibited transfers as grounds for revocation. Article 152 requires notice and an opportunity to present evidence.

What Affects the Scope, Timeline, and Fees?

Games and Permit Category

The category determines which activities the filing can cover.
Company and Documents

Allow time to set up the applicant and collect its records.
Establishment and Platform

Local approvals and technical work affect when you can file.
Regulator Review

Allow time to answer DGJS requests.
Fees and Other Costs

Budget for professional fees, federal charges, permit payments, taxes and local costs. Check whether the quote covers legal, notary, technical, compliance and accounting services.

Payments, Banking and Taxes

Plan how you’ll collect stakes, pay winnings and budget for taxes and permit payments.

Payment Flows

Map how money moves between players, your business and payment providers. Explain how you’ll collect stakes and pay winnings.
Banking Arrangements

Banks and payment providers set their own review timelines and decide whether to accept your business. Prepare your permit and its scope, ownership and funding records, tax status and payment flows.
Federal Excise Tax (IEPS)

IEPS is 50% from January 1, 2026. Article 18 generally allows qualifying paid prizes and pre-event refunds to reduce bets or participant receipts. Specified foreign digital providers without a Mexican establishment use all collected participant receipts, without deductions.
Corporate Income Tax (ISR)

Apply the 30% rate to annual taxable profit after statutory adjustments.
Federal Permit Payments and Tax Offsets

Permit participation is a separate payment. Article 5-B allows qualifying participation paid that month to reduce IEPS. Excess carries forward without credit, compensation or refund. State gaming tax paid may reduce IEPS in the next monthly return, capped at 20% of IEPS on those activities.

Operating requires separate gaming authorization.

Official Sources

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Article 85 allow standalone online betting without an authorized establishment?

No. Article 85 of the Gaming Regulations allows online betting through an authorized establishment, within the activities its permit covers.

Can a foreign company apply directly?

For a remote betting center or number or symbol drawing hall, the applicant must be a commercial company formed under Mexican law. Foreign shareholder eligibility depends on the proposed ownership structure.

Can remote betting center permits receive extensions?

Under Article 33(I) of the Gaming Regulations, holders who have fulfilled their obligations may receive an extension of up to 15 years, subject to approval. Check the transition rules above if you plan to rely on an older permit.

Are local approvals still relevant to online betting?

Yes. The establishment still needs a favorable local opinion under Article 22(IX) of the Gaming Regulations and must meet any other applicable local requirements.