Mexico Online Market: Grey Sector

1) Terms and legal background

Mexico's online market is formally regulated federally through SEGOB/DGJS (Dirección General de Juegos y Sorteos) based on Ley Federal de Juegos y Sorteos and its regulations. Historically, online norms have clearly covered bets and draws/raffles, while other forms of online casinos are not interpreted directly, which gives rise to the "gray zone."

SEGOB recognizes and authorizes illegal forms of gambling activity, including operators licensed abroad; in some cases, the norms can be applied extraterritorially (albeit "infrequently" in practice).

2) Scale: how much "white" and how much "gray"

According to the industry summary of 2025, there are> 350 offline casinos with valid licenses and> 30 digital operators under. mx (with SEGOB permissions). At the same time, dozens of foreign platforms on domains are available for Mexicans. com/.bet, etc. - estimates indicate at least ~ 50 such sites. This is the "gray" perimeter where players play, but Mexico's regulatory jurisdiction is limited.

It is because of the lacunae of the old regulation that some of the online activities have not yet entered the direct register of SEGOB permits (unlike, for example, Colombia, where the frame is newer and tougher), which fuels the "gray" audience.

3) Why the "gray" sector arises

Licensing through a local operator. Foreign brands cannot obtain a "direct" Mexican license and enter through a partnership with a local licensee - otherwise they work "outside" (gray sector).

Incompleteness of online regulations. The 2004 regulations explicitly legalized online betting and sweepstakes, leaving other types of online games in the "gray" field of interpretation.

Demand and mobility. High mobile penetration and recognition of foreign brands create a steady flow of traffic "bypassing."

4) How the "gray" ecosystem works

Domains and mirrors. Operators on. com/.bet remain out. mx-circuit and formally outside the local license.

Partnership schemes. Part of the whitewashing brands enters into a B2B/white-label or marketing partnership with a Mexican licensee; without this - the risk of fines/blockages.

Payments and UX. There are international payment channels and local methods within the framework of anti-AML brand requirements; The local partner (if any) is responsible for compliance with Mexican AML/KYІ.

5) Risks for players and businesses

Legal. SEGOB has the right to fine and suppress illegal transactions, including those serving the Mexican market without local permission (even if the license is obtained abroad). For players, the main risks are controversial payments, lack of local defense mechanisms and difficulties with the evidence base.

Tax. When discussing fiscal innovations 2025/26, there are ideas to increase IEPS for games and expand coverage to online and foreign operators - this can change the economy of the "gray" segment and promote operators to localization.

Reputational/financial. Absence. mx-jurisdiction = higher CUS/responsible play and brand media reputation risks.

6) What changes in 2025: a course for modernization

The government and SEGOB publicly support the renewal of betting and lottery legislation/regulations and the modernization of the entire gambling framework (replacement of the 1947 norms, unification of offline and online, digital verification, self-exclusion). Discussing reforms and "pulling" the rules to the reality of the online market is one way to narrow the "gray" zone.

7) How to distinguish "white" operator from "gray" (workshop)

1. Domain and details. Look for. mx and mention of SEGOB/DGJS permission or local licensee partner.

2. Partnership with a Mexican company. For "whites" - the permit holder and legal entity in Mexico are clearly indicated; the "gray" ones do not have links to SEGOB.

3. Responsible play. The presence of self-exclusion procedures, age verification and local complaint channels is an indicator of compliance with the practices that the regulator insists on.

8) What the market should do: "whitewash" scenarios

Localization through a partner. For. com-brands - agreement with the Mexican licensee (operating/white-label), traffic migration to. mx and setting up KYC/AML to local standards.

Product cleaning. Bring the line of online games to those that are directly covered by regulations (bets/draws) while reforms are underway; the rest is to run as clear rules appear.

Fiscal strategy. Lay in P&L a potential increase in tax burden (IEPS and/or coverage of online operators).

9) Outlook 2025-2027

If Congress approves the modernization of the law and uniform standards for offline and online, the "gray" zone will narrow: more. mx-sites, clear tax rules, leveling player protection. Until that moment, coexistence. mx and. com will continue, and the actual share of "gray" will depend on the pace of reform and enforcement.

Mexico's "gray" online sector is the product of a historically incomplete online framework and high demand. Today next to legal. mx operators there is a noticeable layer of foreign sites available to Mexicans. Trend 2025 - modernization: updating the law, digital verification, self-exclusion and possible tax corrections. For players, this means clearer rules and better protection, for business - an incentive to move from the "gray" to the "white" contour.