Mexican Regulators Block Bet365 and Betano Platforms amid Money-Laundering Probe
Mexico’s Financial Intelligence Unit (UIF) has ordered the blocking of 13 online betting platforms, including local domains associated with Bet365 and Betano, as part of an escalating investigation into suspected money-laundering schemes. The move affects both web platforms and mobile applications, which became unavailable to users in the Mexican App Store and Google Play.
Authorities allege that several operators functioned without direct permits from the Ministry of the Interior and instead relied on intermediary structures. According to media reports, this approach may have reduced tax obligations and facilitated transfers to the United States, Romania, Albania, Malta and Panama. The UIF’s action is among the largest coordinated enforcement steps taken against Mexico’s online-betting market in recent years.
Publish Date
17 Nov 2025
Reading Time
10 minutes
Category
Legal News
Jurisdiction
Mexico
What Happened
Local media report that Bet365.mx and Betano.mx operated through “Ganador Azteca” and “Operadora Ganador TV Azteca”, entities linked to the Mexican conglomerate Grupo Salinas. The holding has publicly denied any wrongdoing and accused authorities of political targeting. The operators themselves have not issued formal comments on the suspensions.
The UIF alleges that several platforms used complex payment flows and, in some cases, small-stake wagers or identity-misuse patterns to circulate funds. The investigation covers both financial operations and the validity of the licences or permits used by the operators to provide online betting services in Mexico.
The blocking measure is preventive. The UIF has authority to restrict access to platforms and freeze accounts when potential illicit-finance risks are identified, pending deeper review by fiscal or criminal authorities.
Regulatory and Legal Basis in Mexico
Under Mexico’s Federal Law for the Prevention and Identification of Operations with Resources of Illicit Origin (LFPIORPI), the UIF monitors vulnerable activities, including gambling and prize-based games. Operators must report high-value transactions, maintain client records and implement robust AML controls.
Recent reforms expanded obligations for digital platforms and tightened the supervision of online gaming. The UIF also increased its scrutiny of cross-border transfers and complex corporate structures following several high-profile enforcement cases during 2025.
Operating without direct authorisation from the Ministry of the Interior, or relying on intermediaries that do not meet transparency thresholds, may create regulatory exposure. This appears to be a central question in the current investigation.
Implications for Operators and Investors
UIF intervention has immediate operational impact. Platforms included in the blocking order cannot legally serve Mexican users, and associated financial accounts may be restricted during the review. Operators may also face revocation of existing permits if regulators determine that intermediaries failed to comply with licencing conditions.
For international operators exploring Mexico, the case underscores the need to verify the licensing chain, beneficiary ownership and compliance frameworks of local partners. Mexico’s market structure allows only certain authorised entities to hold permits, and sub-licensing through opaque structures increases compliance risk.
Investors with exposure to entities linked to Grupo Salinas or other operators under review should monitor regulatory communications closely. Enforcement outcomes may include fines, operational restrictions or stepped-up scrutiny of financial flows.
Regulated iGaming licences for LatAm and international markets
What’s Next and Key Points to Watch
Grupo Salinas has rejected the allegations and framed the investigation as politically motivated. However, the UIF’s blocking order remains active, and further steps may involve collaboration with the tax authority and federal prosecutors. Enforcement agencies are expected to analyse the cross-border flows highlighted in media reports and review whether the operators’ permit structures comply with statutory requirements.
Market participants should watch for updates from the UIF, announcements from the Ministry of the Interior regarding licence status, and any public statements from the affected platforms. The case may also influence upcoming regulatory discussions about the transparency of online-betting permits and the role of intermediaries in the sector.
We can support clients with licence due-diligence, AML risk mapping, and cross-border structuring for entry into Latin-American betting markets. Ongoing enforcement trends in Mexico suggest increasing expectations around transparency, reporting and local authorisation.
Schedule a consultation right now.
Mexico Online Betting Enforcement FAQs
Is the action limited to Bet365 and Betano?
No. The UIF blocked 13 platforms, including but not limited to Bet365.mx and Betano.mx, as part of a broader AML investigation.
What licences are required to operate online betting in Mexico?
Operators must hold direct authorisation from the Ministry of the Interior. Using intermediaries without full transparency or eligibility may create regulatory exposure.
Will Mexican users be affected?
Yes. Access to the platforms and their mobile apps has been blocked for users in Mexico until regulators conclude their review.
What AML obligations apply to betting operators?
Under LFPIORPI, operators must implement client-verification processes, report certain transactions and maintain controls to prevent illicit-finance risks.
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