A new legislative proposal in Mexico City could introduce stricter player protection measures for gambling and sweepstakes, while also placing new limits on some types of prediction markets.
The draft was presented to the Congress of Mexico City by Deputy Alberto Martínez Urincho, with the proposal seeking to strengthen safeguards around gambling and position problem gambling as a public health issue.
Because gambling and sweepstakes are governed by federal legislation in Mexico, the proposal would need to pass through the Public Administration Commission before being considered by the Legislative Plenary.
Stronger controls proposed for operators
The draft would introduce a number of additional requirements aimed at protecting players, particularly younger users and those considered vulnerable to problem gambling.
Among the measures being considered are more prominent responsible gambling warnings, stricter identity verification and stronger controls around age limits.
The proposal would also target promotional practices considered overly aggressive or likely to encourage excessive gambling.
The emphasis reflects growing concerns around the accessibility of gambling through smartphones and the way betting products are increasingly integrated into everyday digital activity.
Urincho pointed specifically to the role of mobile devices and social media in expanding access to gambling.
“Advertising on social networks and streaming platforms sells the fantasy of easy money, trapping even those under 18 years of age in problematic dynamics.”
Prediction markets come under scrutiny
One of the more notable elements of the proposal concerns prediction markets.
The draft would prohibit betting on political events, armed conflicts, humanitarian crises, natural disasters and other markets considered to “violate human dignity.”
The proposed restrictions could have implications for platforms such as Polymarket, which has offered markets covering a wide range of political and real-world events.
Importantly, the proposal does not appear to seek a blanket prohibition of prediction markets. Instead, it would target specific categories of markets that lawmakers consider particularly problematic.
The issue is especially relevant in Mexico, where prediction markets have operated in a regulatory environment that has not always provided clear boundaries between traditional gambling and newer forms of event-based wagering.
Problem gambling framed as a public health issue
A central element of the proposal is the attempt to move the discussion around gambling addiction beyond traditional gaming regulation.
Urincho argued that problem gambling should be recognised as a public health concern and incorporated into Mexico’s broader public health strategy.
He also raised concerns about the increasing availability of gambling products around the clock, particularly through mobile devices.
“We are witnessing an exponential growth of the game in Mexico. This is not a simple matter of leisure or entertainment.”
The deputy further linked excessive gambling to compulsive behaviour and wider physical, psychological and social consequences.
What happens next?
The proposal is still at an early stage and does not represent a change to Mexico’s gambling rules at this point.
Given that the country’s gambling and sweepstakes framework is established at federal level, any legislative changes would need to follow the appropriate federal legal process before becoming enforceable.
The proposal nevertheless signals increasing attention from Mexican lawmakers towards player protection, digital gambling advertising and emerging prediction markets.
For operators and suppliers active in Mexico, the developments could become particularly significant if the proposed measures advance, especially around age verification, promotional activity and the types of events that can be offered through prediction products.
Source: SBC Noticias / Congress of Mexico City