Vegas firms said to be scouting locales
As Mexico’s Interior Ministry plans to license new casinos in popular tourist destinations (Acapulco, Baja California, Cancun, Riviera Maya), the Association of Gaming Equipment Manufacturers has issued a statement supporting the federal gaming law that is currently waiting for approval in the Mexican senate. The law “will create an updated legal framework that can regulate, order, control and monitor this economic activity in the most efficient and accurate manner, resulting in greater security to investors, users and stakeholders in general,” AGEM said.
In January, AGEM spokesperson Carlos Carrion warned that 15 percent of the 90,000 electronic gaming machines now online in Mexico are using unlicensed software. Carrion said Mexico needs to beef up regulations to keep operators from buying second-hand machines, which can cost half the prices of new machines. AGEM says Mexico’s EGMs generate annual revenue of $1.6 billion, reported CalvinAyre.com.
“The commitment of AGEM and all of its members is and will be to install and operate gaming equipment only through licensees, operators and establishments previously authorized by (Secretariat of the Interior),” the statement continued.
“We are against the supply of any gaming device to individuals as well as installation in public places that are not expressly approved or recognized by SEGOB, especially in pharmacies, grocery stores, stationery supply stores, bus stations, public markets, party halls and any other place that are not expressly authorized since they belong to illegal gaming activities that threaten the Mexican population and are harmfully accessible by children.”
AGEM also stated that the organization and its members “have the obligation to promote responsible gaming and prevent and condemn illegal gambling” and “promote a healthy environment for the gaming industry and we fully support the authorities in all countries in their battles against illegal gambling.”
