Mexico suspends 13 casinos in major anti-money laundering operation, affecting major betting platforms bet365 and Betano as authorities crack down on financial irregularities.
Key Takeaways:
- Mexican authorities have suspended 13 casinos including platforms operated by bet365 and Betano for alleged money laundering violations
- The operation involved collaboration with U.S. Treasury’s FinCEN, which separately sanctioned 10 casinos linked to the Sinaloa Cartel
- Affected operators face increased regulatory scrutiny as Mexico establishes stricter controls for both land-based and online gambling operations
Major Crackdown on Casino Money Laundering
The Mexican government has halted operations at 13 casinos after uncovering irregular financial schemes connected to online gambling. The federal investigation revealed a complex network of suspicious money movements that potentially violated anti-money laundering regulations.
This enforcement action was conducted with support from the U.S. Department of the Treasury and its Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN), highlighting increased international cooperation on financial integrity issues within the gaming sector.
Notably, popular online betting platforms bet365 and Betano have been blocked in Mexico since last Thursday. These operators function under the corporate entities Ganadora Azteca and Operadora Ganadora TV Azteca respectively – casinos connected to Grupo Salinas that were suspended as part of the anti-money laundering operation.
Betano has issued a statement assuring customers that “all customer balances are fully protected.”
Suspicious Financial Patterns Identified
Investigators uncovered concerning patterns at the suspended establishments, including the use of personal data obtained through deception or identity theft to funnel funds into both physical and digital gambling operations.
Authorities found that operators associated with these casinos employed prepaid cards, digital codes, and transfers of unverified origin. They also documented winnings that were never actually paid to supposed players.
The investigation revealed that portions of these funds were routed through jurisdictions including Malta, Panama, Romania, Switzerland, the UAE, and the United States before being reintroduced to Mexico as seemingly legitimate income.
Mexican authorities have frozen related accounts while continuing to analyze these structures apparently designed to circumvent tax obligations.
Impact on Major Operators
While the government has not released the complete list of affected operators for confidentiality reasons, Grupo Salinas confirmed that two of its brands – Ganadora Azteca (bet365) and Operadora Ganadora TV Azteca (Betano.mx) – are among those suspended.
The group denied any wrongdoing, stating in a release that “both subsidiaries comply with all legal requirements and sector regulations.” The company has indicated it will challenge these measures in international forums.
President Claudia Sheinbaum emphasized that the actions were based on evidence gathered over months of investigation rather than being politically motivated.
Parallel U.S. Action Against Cartel-Linked Casinos
On the same day as Mexico’s enforcement action, FinCEN identified 10 casinos in Sinaloa, Baja California, and Tabasco for alleged money laundering connected to the Sinaloa Cartel and cut their access to the U.S. financial system.
“The Treasury Department and the Government of Mexico have been coordinating efforts to protect our financial institutions from the Sinaloa Cartel and its illicit financial activities,” said FinCEN Director Andrea Gacki.
Stricter Regulatory Future
This operation signals a new era of regulatory oversight for Mexico’s gambling industry. Authorities have made it clear that “grey areas” will no longer be tolerated in either land-based or online gambling operations.
The reform of the Federal Law for the Prevention and Identification of Operations with Illicitly Sourced Funds, approved in June 2025, along with adjustments to the Federal Penal Code, has significantly increased identification, monitoring, and reporting obligations for operators.
The iGaming sector now faces heightened scrutiny, with expectations that authorities will strengthen controls on player identity verification, transaction traceability, and fund origin verification, particularly for hybrid operations combining physical and digital channels.
I remember the first time I saw Kai Tak, Hong Kong’s gambling city, I thought I was in a fairy tale. All the lights blinking, the music and the monumental buildings, what 9-year-old wouldn’t think they’ve come to a magical place? It was my father who brought me, dragging me along and when inside I was hit by the smell of frying duck. As soon as I hit 21 I returned to Kai Tak, A bit nervous to see if my mind had embellished the memory, but it hadn’t. Kai Tak was still a magical place. I decided I wanted to spend as much time as I could at this place, so I did.
