Mexico blocks 13 casinos over money laundering, organized crime
In an official statement, the Secretariat of Finance and Public Credit (SHCP) reported that, after several months of investigation, 13 betting establishments were identified with activities allegedly linked to money laundering schemes and tax evasion.
The operations took place in the states of Jalisco, Nuevo León, Sinaloa, Sonora, Baja California, State of Mexico, Chiapas, and Mexico City, where investigators found financial patterns consistent with international typologies of money laundering.
The implicated casinos were preventively blocked due to their high financial risk, with the aim of protecting users and preventing the infiltration of organized crime in the sector.
"These actions reinforce the commitment of the Government of Mexico to international cooperation to prevent the use of the financial system for illicit purposes," the agency stated in its communiqué.
International transfers and use of intermediaries
The financial analysis by the Financial Intelligence Unit (UIF) detected million-dollar cash movements, as well as international transfers to countries such as the United States, Romania, Albania, Malta, and Panama, using unsupervised digital platforms.
According to the report, some operators employed low-profile individuals — housewives, students, retirees, and unemployed persons — to channel funds on behalf of third parties, simulating legitimate earnings derived from gambling. In exchange, these individuals received a percentage of the transferred amounts, which allowed the true ownership of the resources to be concealed.
Complaints to the FGR and international coordination
Given the evidence, the UIF will file formal complaints with the Attorney General’s Office (FGR) and notify the Federal Tax Prosecutor’s Office, in order to investigate alleged crimes of money laundering, criminal association, and tax evasion.
The SHCP indicated that the investigation is being conducted in coordination with international organizations, including FinCEN and OFAC of the United States Department of the Treasury, in compliance with the recommendations of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF).
"These measures strengthen global cooperation to prevent casinos and digital platforms from being used by criminal organizations and to ensure the transparency of the Mexican financial system," added the SHCP.
Government commitment to sector integrity
The agency reaffirmed its commitment to strengthen inter-institutional supervision, especially in vulnerable sectors such as gaming and betting, and to promote a zero-tolerance policy against the use of illicit financial structures.
"The Government of Mexico will continue working with security and justice authorities to prevent casinos and platforms from being used by criminal groups, protect users, and safeguard the country’s economic stability," the statement concluded.
Tags: Mexico, iGaming Mexico, illegal casinos Mexico