Latin America
Mexico Gambling Market to Hit Valuation of US$ 40.64 Billion By 2033 | Astute Analytica
The Mexico gambling market was valued at US$ 11.37 billion in 2024 and is expected to reach US$ 40.64 billion by 2033, growing at a CAGR of 15.71% during the forecast period 2025–2033.
Mexico’s gambling market navigates a transformative legal landscape under the Federal Gaming and Raffles Law (LJRS), amended in 2021 and further refined in 2023 to address emerging challenges. As of 2024, the Dirección General de Juegos y Sorteos (DGOJ) mandates that operators maintain audited capital reserves of at least US$2 million and implement geoblocking tools to prevent cross-border betting—key measures tightening Mexico’s historically porous regulatory regime. State-level disparities complicate compliance: Jalisco imposes a 7% local tax on gross gaming revenue (GGR), while Quintana Roo exempts integrated resorts to boost tourism. The FATF’s 2023 audit highlighted AML weaknesses, prompting real-time transaction reporting for bets exceeding $2,500 via SEGOB’s centralized platform.
Despite progress, Mexico State and Guerrero remain hubs for illegal gambling dens in the Mexico gambling market, which SEGOB estimates siphon $450 million annually from licensed operators. Licensing delays (12–18 months) and hefty fines for noncompliance—up to $1.5 million for AML breaches—have consolidated market power among incumbents like Grupo Caliente and Codere. Looking ahead, federal rulings on cryptocurrency betting (pending Q4 2024) could redefine growth, as blockchain adoption accelerates among newer entrants like Betcris.
Key Findings in Mexico Gambling Market
| Market Forecast (2033) | US$ 40.64 Billion |
| CAGR | 15.71% |
| By Type | Casino (44.86%) |
| By Channel Type | Offline (53.97%) |
| By Payment method | Credits and Debits Cards (39.36%) |
| By End Users | Gambling Enthusiasts (65.10%) |
| Top Drivers |
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| Top Trends |
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| Top Challenges |
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Land-Based Casinos: Adapting to Declining Demand and Tourism Shifts
Mexico’s 347 land-based casinos face structural challenges in the gambling market, with 2023 revenue dipping 5% year-over-year to $1.4 billion due to waning foot traffic and inflationary pressures. Urban centers like Mexico City and Monterrey—home to 45 and 32 casinos respectively—report an 8% decline in per-venue revenue, as labor costs surge by 12% and younger patrons migrate online. Luxury resorts buck the trend: Grupo Caliente’s Tijuana Hippodromo Casino saw VIP table game revenue climb 14% in 2023, driven by cross-border traffic from San Diego. Slot machines, still generating 78% of casino income, are evolving—Aristocrat’s “Skill-based Cash Claw” machines now feature mini-games targeting Gen Z.
Meanwhile, 14 small casinos in Baja California closed since 2022, unable to afford biometric entry systems priced at $120,000 annually per venue in the Mexico gambling market. Diversification strategies are emerging: 22% of ancillary revenue now comes from non-gaming events, such as sold-out concerts at CDMX’s Casino Palace. In coastal regions, hurricane-related closures in Quintana Roo (affecting 7 casinos in 2023) underscore climate risks, prompting operators to invest in $40 million insurance pools.
Online Gambling Boom: Mobile Adoption and Payment Innovations
Mexico’s online gambling market, projected to hit $1.4 billion in 2024, thrives on smartphone penetration (82%) and cheap 4G data plans ($8/month average). Players aged 18–34 dominate the market (71%), drawn to Bet365’s live-streamed Liga MX matches and Codere’s bonus-heavy app. Live dealer games surged 33% YoY, with Evolution Gaming reporting 500,000 monthly users for its Mexico-specific baccarat tables. Payment integration bridges financial gaps: OXXO’s Spin service processes 41% of deposits via cash vouchers, while Bitcoin adoption grows slowly (6% of transactions) despite regulatory ambiguity. However, cybersecurity remains a hurdle—DGOJ’s post-February 2024 DDoS attack now requires SSL encryption and two-hour breach disclosure windows. Regional nuances persist: northern states prefer sports betting (67% of online revenue), while central Mexico favors slots (58%). However, monopolistic practices loom—Spain’s Luckia controls 19% of the poker market through exclusivity deals with Mexican influencers like Andrés “Kraneo” Chaurand. With 5G networks expanding to 15 cities by Q3, latency issues during live bets (a 27% complaint rate) may soon ease.
Sports Betting Dominance: Soccer, Partnerships, and Integrity Risks
Sports betting fuels 39.51% of Mexico’s gambling market revenue, driven by soccer’s cultural ubiquity. Liga MX’s 2023 Apertura saw $2.1 billion wagered, spiking 18% during América vs. Chivas clashes. Strategic sponsorships deepen engagement: Sorare’s NFT fantasy league with Tigres UANL attracted 200,000 users in six months, while Betcris’ in-stadium kiosks at Estadio Azteca process $3 million per matchday. The 2026 World Cup looms large—DraftKings’ $52 million ad blitz targets Mexican expats in the U.S., leveraging dual-national stars like Julián Quiñones. Yet match-fixing persists: SEGOB’s Integrity Unit uncovered 12 third-division players manipulating yellow card stats for Costa Rican syndicates. Automation is mitigating risks—Sportradar’s AI flags irregular betting patterns in 92% of Liga MX matches—but oversight gaps linger in amateur leagues. Basketball and baseball are niche bright spots; the NBA’s Mexico City games drove a 27% YoY increase in prop bets, while the Sultanes de Monterrey’s partnership with FanDuel boosted baseball handle by $12 million in 2023.
Economic Contributions: Jobs, Tax Revenues, and Regional Disparities
Gambling sustains 148,000 direct jobs in Mexico gambling market, though wages lag—dealers earn $460/month on average, 23% below the living wage. Federally, the industry contributed $700 million in taxes in 2023, with casinos providing 58% via a 30% GGR levy. State-level disparities are stark: Nuevo León (24% of tax contributions) and Quintana Roo (21%) benefit from dense casino clusters, while Chiapas and Oaxaca account for <1%. Tourism multipliers are immense—Cancún’s casino visitors spend $290 daily versus $110 for others—but regional inequality widens: Mexico City captures 34% of revenue despite housing 13% of the population. IMCO estimates illegal operators drain $310 million in annual taxes, though SEGOB’s blockchain payment-tracker pilot (launched April 2024) slashed unlicensed revenue by 19% in three months. Unionization efforts are rising—30% of casino workers now belong to SUTTCLM, which negotiates healthcare benefits—but automation threatens roles: self-service betting terminals will replace 8,000 cashiers by 2026.
Tourism Integration: Casinos, Resorts, and Cross-Border Opportunities in Mexico Gambling Market
Integrated resorts drive Mexico’s $2.1 billion gambling-tourism nexus, blending gaming with luxury stays and golf. Grupo Vidanta’s Nuevo Vallarta property draws 500,000 annual visitors, 44% from the U.S., via packages bundling blackjack tournaments with yacht charters. Cruise tourism amplifies growth: Royal Caribbean’s Cozumel stopovers generate $180 million from casino excursions, targeting retirees with free-play credits. Cross-border betting is surging in gambling market of Mexico—23% of Texas bettors use VPNs to access Caliente’s U.S. college football markets—but peso volatility dampens foreign spending. Post-2023 devaluation, Californian visitors reduced average casino budgets by 14%, prompting operators to lure Argentinian high rollers with direct flights to Mérida. However, climate risks temper gains—Hurricane Otis disrupted 12 coastal casinos in 2023, costing $87 million in closures. For sustainability, SECTUR’s 2024 initiative promotes “golf-and-gaming” circuits in underdeveloped states like Aguascalientes, leveraging partnerships with PGA Tour Latinoamérica.
Technology Adoption: AI, Blockchain, and Virtual Reality Advances
Mexican operators in gambling market invested $230 million in tech upgrades in 2023, prioritizing AI tools for personalization and fraud detection. Codere’s chatbot resolves 83% of inquiries with a 4.7/5 satisfaction score, while Caliente’s machine learning model flags problem gamblers via behavioral cues like 3 AM logins. Virtual Reality casinos are expanding—Win Systems’ VR parlors in Guadalajara offer Meta Quest-powered blackjack, drawing 12,000 monthly users—but remain niche due to $600 headset costs. Blockchain adoption addresses transparency: 15% of licensees use Bitso for Bitcoin payouts, settling withdrawals in 22 minutes versus three days for banks. Cybersecurity gaps persist, evidenced by January 2024’s $4.5 million hack of Apuesta Total’s player database. Rural adoption lags—only 38% of Oaxaca’s casinos have 5G—but partnerships with Telcel aim to launch 150 5G gaming zones by 2025, slashing latency for esports bets.
Social Challenges: Addiction, Crime, and Regulatory Backlash
Problem gambling afflicts 2.3% of Mexican adults, per CONADIC’s 2024 survey—double the global average—with Sonora (4.1%) and Sinaloa (3.8%) hardest hit in the gambling market. SEGOB mandates operators fund 134 addiction clinics via 1% GGR contributions, yet only 17% of users self-exclude despite pop-up prompts. Cartels exploit weak oversight: 2023 saw $270 million laundered through Michoacán casinos, triggering federal raids and 11 venue closures. Public resistance grows—49% oppose new casinos per IEP polls—stalling projects in Querétaro and Puebla. Youth protections tightened in January: influencers like Rivers_GG face $25,000 fines for promoting betting on Twitch. Meanwhile, industry-funded harm reduction campaigns—like Caliente’s “Juego Responsable” school workshops—reach 200,000 teens annually. Balancing growth and ethics remains pivotal, as unchecked expansion risks replicating Spain’s 2010 addiction crisis, warns OECD’s 2024 Mexico report.
Mexico Gambling Market Key Players:
- Big Bola Casinos
- Caliente
- Codere México
- PlayCity Casino
- Strendus
- Betcris México
- Other Prominent Players
Key Segmentation:
By Type
- Sports
- Fixed Odds Sports Betting
- Pari-Mutuel Betting (Horse and Dog racing)
- In-Play/Live Betting
- Exchange Betting
- Spread Betting
- Others
- Casino
- Blackjack
- Baccarat
- Teen Patti
- Three Card Poker
- Four card poker
- Red Dog
- Others
- Lottery Games
- Scratch-offs
- Bingo
- Keno
- Electronic Gaming Machines
- Others
By Channel Type
- Offline
- Casinos
- Betting shops/halls
- Arcades
- Bookmakers
- Online
- Virtual Game
By Payment Method
- Credit and debit cards
- E-wallets
- Prepaid cards and Vouchers
- Bank Transfers
- Cryptocurrencies
- Others
By End User
- Gambling Enthusiast
- Dabblers
- Others
The post Mexico Gambling Market to Hit Valuation of US$ 40.64 Billion By 2033 | Astute Analytica appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
Atomo Gaming
Fast Track Announces partnership with Atomo Gaming to expand Latin American iGaming presence
Fast Track leading CRM platform for the iGaming industry, has announced a strategic partnership with Atomo Gaming, a leading iGaming platform provider with a strong foothold across Latin America. The collaboration will be officially unveiled at the XIX CIBELAE Congress in Asunción, Paraguay, on November 10-14, 2025.
The partnership will combine Fast Track’s AI-native CRM with Atomo Gaming’s platform infrastructure. The collaboration marks Fast Track’s expansion into the Latin American market and establishes a working relationship with Atomo Gaming’s network of operators in the region.
Fast Track is the industry leader in providing modern state-of-the-art tech stacks to work with real-time data and AI, including proprietary self-learning technologies to maximise relevance for its customers. Fast Track CRM integrates seamlessly with gaming platforms, distribution channels, and bonus engines, utilising real-time data to enable targeted campaigns and dynamic, personalised player journeys. The company recently launched Fast Track AI, a natural language platform that enables users to execute campaign creation, automation, and deep data analysis through conversational inputs.
Atomo Gaming is a Spain-based technology company that develops gaming platforms for online and land-based operations. The company’s “Alborán” platform provides multi-balance wallets, online casino and sportsbook functionality, retail integration, risk management, business intelligence, and game aggregation capabilities.
Through this partnership, operators using the Atomo Gaming platform could gain access to Fast Track’s advanced CRM capabilities, including automation, analytics, and AI-driven player engagement tools. The integration will enable Atomo Gaming’s operator network to implement sophisticated CRM strategies through Fast Track’s natural language interface.
Ramón Monrós, CEO and Co-founder of Atomo Gaming, said: “This partnership enables operators on the Atomo Gaming platform to access advanced CRM technology that addresses the specific needs of Latin American markets. Fast Track’s natural language capabilities allows our operators to implement player engagement strategies efficiently, supporting their growth in the region.”
Simon Lidzén, CEO and Co-Founder of Fast Track, said: “Latin America represents one of the most dynamic and exciting iGaming markets globally, and partnering with Atomo Gaming allows us to be part of that growth story. Together, we’re bringing technology that will fundamentally change how operators engage with their players. This collaboration represents our commitment to making advanced CRM accessible to operators everywhere, empowering them to compete and succeed in their markets.”
The post Fast Track Announces partnership with Atomo Gaming to expand Latin American iGaming presence appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.
OKTO, the next-gen Payment Service Provider, has officially launched its direct card in solution in Mexico, marking another milestone in its mission to deliver orchestrated payment experiences across Latin America. The new service is seamlessly connected to Mexico’s local payment rails, enabling real-time card deposits that are fully aligned with the country’s financial infrastructure.
This launch forms part of OKTO’s Orchestrated Pay-ins and Payouts strategy, designed to simplify and optimize every stage of the payment journey for merchants and users. With card payments representing more than 25% of Mexico’s iGaming audience, the solution provides operators with direct access to a major segment of players who rely on the convenience, familiarity, and trust of card-based deposits.
By integrating directly with licensed local acquirers, OKTO removes unnecessary intermediaries, giving merchants greater control over their payment flows, more competitive pricing structures, and strengthened fraud management. This direct connection results in faster processing times, higher approval rates, and a smoother experience that meets the expectations of both operators and players in a rapidly expanding market.
Momentum is already building, with five merchants preparing to go live on the platform. This early adoption highlights the strong demand for localized, compliant, and frictionless payment solutions within Mexico’s iGaming ecosystem. The card in service complements the existing SPEI in and out local payment options available through the OKTO platform, further enhancing the breadth of payment capabilities for merchants in the region.
Following the successful rollout of real-time account-to-account payments in Peru last month, OKTO continues to expand its footprint across Latin America with solutions tailored to each market’s regulatory and consumer landscape. The launch in Mexico reinforces OKTO’s commitment to empowering merchants with payment services that drive conversion, efficiency, and sustainable growth.
“Mexico represents a key market in OKTO’s Latin American expansion strategy. Our direct card-in solution directly addresses the needs of a significant portion of iGaming users who continue to prefer card payments, combining this familiarity with the speed, reliability, and control of OKTO’s payment gateway. By integrating with Mexico’s local acquiring network, we help merchants reduce costs, increase approval rates, and deliver the fast, seamless deposit experience that players expect from trusted, high-performing brands,” said Thomas Georgopoulos, COO at OKTO.
The post OKTO Expands Payment Capabilities in Mexico with Direct Card Deposits appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.
Recognised entrepreneur and industry leader Ramiro Atucha has officially launched Atucha Strategic Advisory, a consultancy focused on providing strategic insight and business development support to a hand-picked portfolio of companies in the global gaming and technology sectors.
Atucha Strategic Advisory opens a new chapter in Atucha’s distinguished 20-year iGaming career, during which he was instrumental in shaping notable brands such as Leander Games and, most recently, Vibra Gaming, where he served as CEO until earlier this year. Before moving into the gaming space, Atucha was CEO of Ixone Studios, a software and digital identity firm based in Argentina, providing services to the U.S. market.
The advisory will initially focus on the LatAm market, but will not be limited to this region in the future. Atucha will closely collaborate with founders and leadership teams where his experience can deliver value across areas such as strategic alignment, market entry, corporate structure, and product positioning.
“Over the years, I’ve become increasingly passionate about those strategic conversations that define a company’s direction,” said Atucha. “Whether it’s expanding into new markets, refining corporate structures, or ensuring the right people are in the right roles – these are the challenges that create long-term success. My goal is to share the experience that only time in the field can bring with a select few businesses that inspire me and where I can truly make a difference. The lessons learned, the perspective earned, and a deep respect for what it takes to build something that lasts are at the heart of my advisory.”
Atucha is a unique executive that has successfully operated on both sides of the global market – leading regulated ventures in Europe and the U.S. with Leander Games, and in Latin America with Vibra Gaming.
Later this month, Atucha will announce the first companies joining his advisory portfolio and reveal more details about the partnerships inspiring this new phase.
The post LatAm industry pioneer Ramiro Atucha launches Atucha Strategic Advisory appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.
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