Mexican casinos to operate like Las Vegas following Federal Court ruling

Mexican casinos will soon be able to operate similarly to those in Las Vegas after a federal court authorized them to offer card games, roulette, dice games, and expand slot machine operations. This decision overturns a November 2023 regulatory reform introduced by former President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, which had placed stricter limitations on casino operations.

The court’s ruling followed a legal challenge from industry operators, declaring López Obrador’s reform unconstitutional. His decree had banned new slot machines, imposed tougher requirements for opening gaming halls, and prohibited their operation by entities other than the licensed permit holders.

The court confirmed that slot machines, defined as “number-draw machines,” are allowed under the Federal Law of Games and Sweepstakes (LFJS), aligning with a precedent set in 2016 by Judge Martín Santos. Moreover, the court acknowledged that card games, roulette, and dice games are also permitted under the law since their outcomes rely primarily on chance rather than participant skill.

Several major casino operators benefited from this ruling, including Espectáculos Deportivos de Occidente (EDOSA), which runs Casino Midas, Grand Toreo, Flamingo, and Casino Gran Palacio, as well as the online platform Netabet. Other operators such as Atracciones y Emociones Vallarta (AEV), managing Paradise, Jubilee, and Vivento casinos, and Eventos Festivos de México (EFM), which operates Rocks Casino, also secured favorable judgments.

The ruling is final and cannot be appealed, marking a significant victory for the gaming industry. It allows casinos to expand their offerings and modernize operations, paving the way for a gaming environment reminiscent of Las Vegas.