From the establishment, it is stated that the closure is due to political interests and they accuse Governor Julio Menchaca Salazar of not complying with judicial resolutions.
Mexico.- The recent closure of the Winpot casino in Pachuca, Hidalgo, has triggered a wave of criticism and suspicion in various sectors, including business and political. More than 200 employees have been affected by the decision of the Commission for the Protection against Sanitary Risks of Hidalgo (Copriseh), under the direction of Luis Alberto Mercado Hernández. Although the casino complied with all the required permits and regulations, the closure was justified on the grounds of violations of the General Law for Tobacco Control, a matter in which the casino assures it has an injunction that allows it to continue operating.
What has generated controversy is the lack of intervention by the governor of Hidalgo, Julio Menchaca Salazar, who has not responded to the judicial resolutions that order the reopening of the establishment. The silence of the governor before the judicial orders has raised suspicions about possible conflicts of interest surrounding the closure.
Investigations suggest that the casino Via Dorada, located just meters from Winpot, could have benefited from the closure of its competition. This casino belongs to the companies Petolof S.A. de C.V. and Hermes S.A. de C.V., whose shareholders include Elías Marianno Gil Valdez, current Secretary of Administration of Hidalgo and son of Sergio Jacinto Gil García, linked to corruption scandals in the gaming field. According to documents released by various media, Gil García is also related to the opening of a casino in San Jerónimo, contradicting the promises of President Andrés Manuel López Obrador to not allow the expansion of such establishments.
The case adds another element when mentioning Juan Carlos Martínez Domínguez, another shareholder of Hermes S.A. de C.V., who is accused of alleged participation in corruption schemes, including the diversion of public funds and fraud in the sale of materials to the Ministry of Public Education of Hidalgo. These connections have fueled suspicions that the closure of Winpot could respond to personal or business interests.
See also: Gaming taxes in Mexico: proposal to increase the tax burden in the state of Guanajuato
Merkur Group traveled to the Spanish metropolis with eleven subsidiaries and two strategic partners to showcase its varied portfolio.
Press release.- ICE Barcelona 2025 has been spectacular: an impressive number of visitors, pioneering innovations in the gaming sector, and an atmosphere brimming with optimism and confidence have made the debut of the world's leading gaming fair in Barcelona a resounding success for the entire industry. From January 20 to 22, more than 630 companies from around the world gathered at Fira Barcelona Gran Via to showcase the latest technologies for the international gaming markets to about 55,000 visitors. As usual, Merkur Group also participated. The German gaming giant traveled to the Spanish metropolis with eleven subsidiaries and two strategic partners to showcase its varied portfolio as one of the largest exhibitors in an area of about 2,500 m².
Dominik Raasch, member of the executive board of Merkur Sales, stated: "Our expectations for the first edition of ICE in Barcelona were high, and seeing them exceeded so significantly has deeply impressed us."
"This success has infused the entire sector with a strong sense of courage and optimism for the coming months and years. The decision to move to Barcelona has undoubtedly been the right one for the international gaming sector. The positive atmosphere and the enormous interest from visitors already make us look forward to ICE 2026."
At the extensive Merkur exhibition stand, the diverse and innovative content creations from the international sales brand Merkur Gaming particularly caught the attention of the guests. Especially the Linked Progressive Jackpot systems Clash Link, Link Wave, Mystic Link, and Link Overdrive thrilled attendees with their exciting features, smart mechanics, and exceptional graphics.
Another highlighted product was the Multi-Game Package M-Prime, which aroused curiosity thanks to its advanced player interface and extensive game portfolio. The Mod Ex cabinet family was the perfect showcase for Merkur's modern content. Beyond its elegantly minimalist design, it stood out for its unparalleled modularity, allowing customization of the monitor, body, and base according to customer needs. Among the various cabinet models, the Mod Ex J55 emerged as a public favorite, impressing visitors with its expansive and surprisingly curved screen.
In addition to Merkur Gaming, numerous other subsidiaries showcased their product ranges in Barcelona, highlighting the diversity of the Merkur Group. While adp Merkur exhibited the portfolio of German land-based products, Blueprint Operations and Blueprint Gaming presented their latest generation cabinets and game innovations for the British market. For Merkur Dosniha, ICE was like playing at home: The Spanish distribution and development brand delighted its customers with the launch of six new products, including the introduction of the Mod Ex and the debut of new titles such as Pig Run, Long Empowered, and Lady M.
Visitors looking for durable, reliable, and high-quality cash management and payment systems found answers to their needs at the GeWeTe stand. The cash management experts showcased an impressive range of products, with standout models like the Cash-Center Premium, the Cash-Center Compact Casino, and the Cash-Center Slim. Meanwhile, online gaming enthusiasts found everything they could ask for in the Merkur eSolutions section. This umbrella brand, along with its subsidiaries Euro Payment Group, Bede Gaming, and edict egaming, demonstrated a modern 360-degree approach that successfully bridges the gap between land-based and online gaming with innovative product solutions.
Strategic partners Spintec and Gaming Arts were also key components of the Merkur exhibition space. Both companies, making their first joint appearance at G2E 2024 in Las Vegas, continued their successful collaboration with a strong presence at ICE. Spintec impressed attendees with its extensive offering of ETG (Electronic Table Games) and live games, while Gaming Arts captivated the audience with new game titles such as Lava Lock™ and Big Catch Bass Fishing™, along with their Mod Ex cabinets tailored for the North American market.
