Legislație

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.

Cazinourile și jocurile de noroc au fost interzise de Legea pariurilor și tombolelor din 1947. În timp ce această lege este încă în vigoare, Mexicul a cunoscut o proliferare uriașă a saloanelor de sloturi în ultimii zece ani și au existat o serie de încercări de a elimina vechiul act. .

Mai multe solicitări de reformă au venit în apropierea tragediei de la Monterrey din 2011, când un grup de bărbați înarmați a atacat și apoi a incendiat Casino Royale, situat într-un cartier de lux al orașului Monterrey, cauzând 52 de morți. În februarie 2013, o comisie a Congresului a fost însărcinată să investigheze modul în care au fost acordate licențele în întreaga țară și să elaboreze un nou act privind jocurile de noroc.