Mexican authorities have ordered the temporary suspension of 13 casinos across several states following an extensive investigation into alleged money laundering operations. Officials announced the decision on Wednesday, explaining that the establishments were suspected of being used to move millions of dollars through complex schemes involving identity theft and international fund transfers.
During a government press conference, Mexico’s Security Secretary, Omar García Harfuch, confirmed that the closures were the result of a long-term, multi-agency effort in coordination with U.S. authorities, including the Department of the Treasury and the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network. He noted that the investigation traced irregular activity across both physical and online gambling platforms.
Authorities revealed that questionable transactions had been detected in multiple regions, including Baja California, Chiapas, Jalisco, Mexico City, Nuevo León, Sinaloa, Sonora, and the State of Mexico. According to García Harfuch, cited by the Associated Press, the operations had been under review for months before the suspension order was issued.
Officials stated that the casino operators had allegedly obtained personal and banking data from students, homemakers, and retirees—often through fraudulent means or identity theft. Using this information, the perpetrators opened prepaid accounts and digital wallets that were later used to move money through the gambling system.
How the Alleged Scheme Worked
Grisel Galeano, Mexico’s top tax prosecutor, explained that individuals whose identities were stolen would sometimes receive prepaid cards or electronic codes from unknown sources, which they could use to place small bets at the casinos. “Once they placed a bet, even for a small amount, the casino would use their identity to register a windfall of millions,” Galeano said.
She detailed how the supposed winnings would then be transferred abroad to accounts belonging to shell companies and later funneled into tax havens. From there, the funds were routed back into Mexico, disguised as legitimate income through casino or business operations.
Authorities said these fabricated winnings were logged in casino systems, but the payouts were never actually made to the registered players. Instead, the funds were circulated through financial channels in several countries, including Malta, Panama, Romania, Switzerland, the United Arab Emirates, and the United States.
Investigators believe this process was repeated thousands of times to make the transactions appear lawful. The investigation also revealed large sums of unaccounted-for cash and deliberate efforts to bypass tax reporting thresholds. As part of the enforcement actions, bank accounts tied to the suspended establishments have been frozen pending further review.
Grupo Salinas Challenges the Government’s Motives
Among those affected is Grupo Salinas, a powerful conglomerate owned by businessman Ricardo Salinas Pliego. The company confirmed that two of the suspended casinos—Ganadora Azteca and Operadora Ganadora TV Azteca—are part of its portfolio. In a public statement, Grupo Salinas denied any illegal conduct, accusing the government of politically motivated harassment.
President Claudia Sheinbaum, however, dismissed suggestions of political bias. She stressed that the decision to suspend the casinos was based solely on evidence gathered through formal channels and supported by legal frameworks. “These sensitive decisions require a clear chain of review,” she said, emphasizing that the enforcement measures were procedural and unrelated to personal disputes or political differences.
When asked about potential conflicts, Sheinbaum reiterated that the government’s actions are determined by compliance assessments, not the identities of the business owners.
Broader Legal and Political Implications
Grupo Salinas, which is already entangled in a dispute with federal tax authorities over unpaid liabilities, announced plans to challenge the casino suspensions through the Inter-American Court of Human Rights. The company argued that the enforcement actions were improper and that it would seek redress through international legal mechanisms.
During the press conference, government officials did not respond to questions about potential litigation timelines or whether further actions might be taken against other operators.
President Sheinbaum was also questioned about recent labor inspections at a television network owned by Salinas Pliego. She clarified that the reviews were routine and unrelated to the casino investigation, noting that “regulators must apply the same standards to all companies.”
While the government has not disclosed the full list of affected casinos due to confidentiality requirements, the suspensions mark one of the most significant enforcement efforts in Mexico’s gaming industry in recent years. The ongoing inquiry underscores the administration’s focus on tightening oversight of financial and gambling institutions amid growing concerns over cross-border money laundering schemes.
