Alberto Martínez Urincho Seeks Tighter Mexico Gambling Rules

Mexico City lawmaker Alberto Martínez Urincho has proposed tighter rules for online betting platforms, including age checks, gambling harm warnings and limits on prediction markets. The proposal targets the Federal Law on Games and Sweepstakes, a law that dates to 1947 and has never been amended.

Good to Know

• The proposal would formally classify gambling addiction as an addictive disorder.
• Betting operators would face stricter identity checks and advertising requirements.
• Prediction betting on politics, armed conflicts and humanitarian crises would face restrictions.

Proposal Focuses on Digital Gambling Controls

Martínez Urincho wants to add Article 1 Bis and amend Article 3 of the Federal Law on Games and Sweepstakes as online betting use grows among younger players. The current federal law gives the Interior Ministry authority over permitted betting and sweepstakes activity.

Operators would need to display health and risk warnings, verify player identities and prevent minors from accessing gambling platforms. The plan would also prohibit misleading advertising and commercial practices aimed at vulnerable users.

Prediction markets receive separate attention. The proposal would restrict contracts tied to political events, armed conflicts, natural disasters, humanitarian crises and other events considered incompatible with human dignity.

Martínez Urincho said:

“We are witnessing an exponential growth in gambling addiction in Mexico; this is not simply a matter of leisure or entertainment. We are talking about a disorder that causes changes in brain circuits, leading to compulsive behavior despite serious physical, psychological and social consequences.”

He cited estimates showing problematic or dependent gambling behavior among 4% to 8% of adolescents in Mexico.

The Mexico City Congress cannot directly rewrite federal gambling law. The proposal must first clear local legislative stages before lawmakers can send an initiative to the federal Congress, where any amendment would require separate approval.

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