Recently, a federal judge in Mexico ruled that the government's 2023 decision to ban slot machines is unconstitutional. She also declared that roulette and dice games should be allowed.
Federal Judge María Isabel Bernal decided that the government's ban on slot machines was unconstitutional and did not comply with the Federal Gaming and Draws Law (LFJS). In June of this year, another federal judge, Gabriel Regis, also reached the same conclusion.
Judge Regis also stated that roulette and card games (which had never been allowed in casinos before the 2023 government decision) should be permitted.
2023: Slot Machine Ban
In 2023, under the leadership of President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, the Mexican government decided to ban slot machines in all casinos and gambling venues. Casinos with a slot machine operating license could continue using these machines until their licenses expired, up to a maximum of 15 years. After expiration, no licensed casino could apply for a renewal or extension.
The 2023 decree stated that legal lotteries allowed under Mexican law do not include "betting games using cards or other forms of equivalents, dice, roulette wheels, or slot machines."
26 companies and casino operators filed lawsuits against this decision, totaling 60 cases.
2016 Supreme Court Ruling
The decisions of both judges were based on a 2016 Supreme Court ruling, which confirmed that slot machines are permitted under the Federal Gaming and Draws Law (LFJS), a law that has been in effect since 1947 and allows lotteries. They also ruled that roulette, dice, and card games should be classified as lotteries, as the outcomes of these games are entirely random.
