Mexico’s Interior Ministry has suspended the licenses of four Mexico City casinos ahead of the expected passage of new law designed to crack down on lax enforcement of gaming regulations.
Caliente Casino, Casino Emotion, Casino Life and Palace Casino reportedly were given one week to prove they have valid permits to operate and have not violated local gaming laws. The ministry and local police are said to be planning similar inspections throughout the city in the coming weeks.
Congress’ lower House of Deputies is considering a bill to bring more consistency and transparency both to land-based and online gaming. Fernando Zarate Salgado, president of the chamber’s Commission of Gaming, said, “The new law is going to put some order in the gambling world by regulating it and by fixing some issues we have now.”
Among its provisions are new 10-year operating licenses and the raising of the minimum age to play in casinos to 21.
The bill was supposed to pass last month, according Miguel Angel Ochoa Sanchez, president of the Association of Licensees, Operators and Suppliers of Gaming and Entertainment in Mexico.
