Mexico Challenges Report Concerning 20 Casino Licenses
Background of Mexico’s Gambling Controversies
Mexico’s gambling industry has been under scrutiny due to a series of scandals in recent years. Recently, sanctions were imposed by the US Treasury Department on three individuals and two casinos linked to the Northeast Cartel, an organization classified as terrorist. In 2022, inspectors from the General Directorate of Games and Sweepstakes faced accusations of extorting casino owners by demanding illicit payments to maintain their licenses or avoid penalties.
Dispute Over Casino Licenses Issued
Currently, the General Directorate of Games and Sweepstakes is contesting allegations reported by the newspaper Reforma. The report claims that 20 casino licenses were granted to a company associated with the family of Hernán Bermúdez Requena, a detained ex-official facing serious criminal charges.
Official Denials and Court Intervention
The regulator has firmly denied these allegations. According to Reforma, the licenses were authorized during the last year of former President Andrés Manuel López Obrador’s term and linked to Compañía Operadora Clíe, a firm connected to Bermúdez Requena. However, Mexico’s Interior Ministry (SEGOB) clarified that these licenses were issued only after a court order mandated their release via an administrative court and have not been activated for operational casinos.
Authorities emphasized that the licenses were not directly granted to Compañía Operadora Clíe but rather to other entities. Additionally, certain licenses related to casinos including Centenario and Diamante, as well as the CrownCityBets website, have been suspended.
Hernán Bermúdez Requena, who previously served as security chief in Tabasco, remains in custody and is accused of leading a criminal organization associated with the Jalisco New Generation Cartel.
Response from Former Government Officials
Luisa María Alcalde, former head of SEGOB, rejected the accusations and stated that the company tied to Bermúdez Requena’s family only received one license back in 2017 during Enrique Peña Nieto’s presidency. She explained that other licenses mentioned were issued following legal proceedings between Compañía Operadora Clíe and regulators, but those licenses have restrictions and do not permit common casino games such as slot machines or table games, making them largely ineffective for typical casino operations.
Alcalde firmly denied any personal connection with Bermúdez Requena, asserting, “I had never encountered this Requena character before in my life. Throughout my career, I have never engaged in any corrupt or dishonest behavior.” She also criticized attempts to associate her with the former security official of Tabasco as unfounded.
Industry Response and Call for Responsible Reporting
The Association of Licensees and Suppliers of the Entertainment and Gambling Industry in Mexico (AIEJA) supported the regulator’s stance. They urged the media to provide accurate and responsible coverage of the gambling industry and stressed the importance of basing reports on verified information to preserve confidence in what they described as a highly regulated sector.
