Legislazione

Mexico – Lawmakers hammer out Gaming Act details

Three important issues concerning the future of Gaming Law of Mexico will be discussed on Tuesday by members of the Special Commission of Gaming in the Chamber of Deputies along with officials from the Ministries of Finance and the Interior Ministry.

Legislators will discuss the elimination of small slot parlours in small businesses such as cinemas and theatres, discuss new regulations at racetracks, including new regulations safeguarding the rights for workers, and discuss one of the most controversial issues – the duration of casino licences.

The committee has proposed a ten year licence which would be renewable for the same period. However this has met with opposition with some members arguing that that this should be extended to either 12, 15 or 20 years, with licences once again renewable for the same period. Head of the committee Fernando Zárate Salgado told local press that the commission has been carrying out a number of recent studies in order to determine the right time frame for casino owners to make a profit from their initial investment while creating a fair environment for operators as well as players. At present there are no rules in place regarding the duration of casino licences.

Lawmakers also remain undecided over the issue of mini casinos located in small businesses with members of the Chamber of Deputies wavering on the issue. Under present proposals they could all banned altogether or permitted with operators allowed to house up to 30 machines per site.

According to Mr. Salgado, the new law is “is already in the final stages” with only a few finer details which need to be put in place first.

Casinò e giochi d'azzardo furono vietati dalla legge sulle scommesse e sulle lotterie del 1947. Sebbene questa legge sia ancora in vigore, il Messico ha assistito a un'enorme proliferazione di sale da gioco negli ultimi dieci anni e ci sono stati numerosi tentativi di eliminare la vecchia legge. .

Ulteriori richieste di riforma sono arrivate subito dopo la tragedia di Monterrey nel 2011, quando un gruppo di uomini armati ha attaccato e poi dato fuoco al Casino Royale, situato in un quartiere esclusivo della città di Monterrey, provocando la morte di 52 persone. Nel febbraio 2013 un comitato del Congresso è stato incaricato di indagare su come sono state concesse le licenze in tutta la nazione e di redigere una nuova legge sul gioco