Mexico: Segob seized more than 5,500 slots

During a meeting with federal representatives, Pérez commented that, due to the operations to fight illegal gambling venues, 19 slot halls have been closed. Besides, other 13 operations have been made in which 3,343 gambling machines have been seized, closing three gambling venues and arresting 33 people.

With regards to cock fights, horse racing and card tournaments, SEGOB officer said that several closures have been made because they did not have the corresponding license.

Among others, he said, there have been three people arrested in 25 arenas; five Texas Hold’em tournaments have been suspended, four centers for regional events have been closed, six people have been arrested and two people have been accused for forgery of licenses, he underlined.

With regards to licenses granted by the SEGOB, he commented that they have granted 998 draws in 2007; 945 in 2008 and 92 during the current year”.

President of the Government Commission,  Diódoro Carrasco Altamirano, and representative Armando García Méndez, explained the content of the initiative on the new Law of Games with Bets and Draws. They pointed that it comprises 10 titles, 220 articles and 8 temporary articles, and seeks to regulate all types of draws, including television and regional events.

Besides, President of the Commission of Economy and Public Credit, Jorge Estefan Chidiac, talked about the convenience of updating the Law of Games with Bets and Draws, which never considered the new scenarios on the matter.

Besides, President of the Tourism Commission, Octavio Martínez, said that this is an issue that must be analyzed deeply, because society must win, as well as public economy and communities. Besides, the representative of the Association of Games and Draws Licencees, A.C., Alfonso Pérez Lizaur, commented that the initiative does not consider the needs of the current market.

"It does not consider money laundering, and it does not consider Internet betting yet, so they do not contribute to the country because they do not pay taxes and there is a fraud risk”, he concluded.