Illegal Slot Machines Destroyed in Mexico
Mexico’s fight against illegal gaming operations continues, now with a systematic removal and destruction of nearly 60 machines in Baja California. These machines were ultimately destroyed by the State Attorney General’s Office (Fiscalía General del Estado or FGE). They were first confiscated as the result of a judicial hearing. The owners and operators of the machines were found guilty of targeting minors with their wares, an illegal offense when it comes to Mexican gaming law.
Baja California has destroyed 59 slot machines after it was determined the operators were illegally serving minors.©Kai Pilger/Unsplash
A bid to protect minors
The 59 slot machines in question were originally seized by the Mexicali Regional Prosecutor’s Office. This happened during a routine court hearing, rather than during an investigative raid. That means the office had a court order to take the equipment for further investigation.
The case came about in the first place due to complaints by local citizens who observed the behavior of the gaming establishments in question. Observers noticed that minors were present on these premises, which is suspicious since they are not allowed to take part in gaming.
Many Latin American countries also have strict rules to protect minors in other ways; for example, they stipulate that operators with licenses must not be seen as advertising to minors in any way. The location of gaming places also is determined by distances from schools and other facilities that minors would often frequent.
As a part of the case, investigating agents first went to the gaming locations to establish whether these complaints were true. Once they determined there was in fact suspicious behavior taking place on premises, they were able to go back to the Public Ministry, which requested an official search warrant.
The judge of the case granted this warrant which then allowed them to proceed with the confiscation of the machines. The machines were held during the duration of the case. Once it was found that the owners indeed broke the law with their activity, the machines were transferred from the Directorate of Insured and Abandoned Assets to a landfill.
The machines were ultimately destroyed at the landfill, which was located in Ejido Benito Juárez, in the state of Chihuahua. A statement from Mexico’s gaming regulator made it clear that this action was taken in direct response to the threat posed to minors, who it seeks to protect from being influenced into taking part in these games.
An uncertain future for casino gaming in Mexico
Mexico has made news in the gaming industry recently due to statements made by President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, who took office in 2018. López Obrador recently set his sights on the gaming industry and has indicated big changes to come within it.
In particular, he has stated on several occasions that there were to be no new casino licenses granted in Mexico, and that any granted since 2019 should be canceled. However, that has not been the case in reality.
While Mexicali recently changed its laws connected to when alcohol is served at casinos, which might be seen as a way of slowing activity, it has meanwhile allowed for the construction of several new casino spaces, in direct opposition to the president’s words.
Some have questioned how these establishments have the right to operate but the Urban Administration Directorate has confirmed that they all have the correct permits to continue their builds. Therefore, the president’s actual power has been called into question. It is unclear whether he alone can make such a radical decision for Mexico’s gaming industry.
