Mexico’s gambling regulator denies issuing 20 casino licenses to a company connected to a detained cartel-linked ex-official, pushing back against explosive allegations that threaten to deepen public mistrust in the nation’s casino industry.
The claims surfaced in a prominent report by Reforma newspaper, accusing Mexican authorities of approving 20 casino licenses to Compañía Operadora Clíe, a firm allegedly tied to the family of Hernán Bermúdez Requena, a former state security chief now jailed on serious criminal charges related to the Jalisco New Generation Cartel. The report linked the approvals to the final year of former president Andrés Manuel López Obrador’s administration, igniting fresh concerns about corruption and cartel influence in Mexico’s lucrative gambling sector.
The Interior Ministry (SEGOB) responded swiftly, categorically denying the report’s claims. They explained the licenses in question were issued only following a court order via an administrative ruling, and stressed none of the permits have been activated to run casinos. Additionally, SEGOB emphasized these licenses were not directly granted to Clíe but to separate entities altogether.
In a related move, Mexican authorities have suspended several licenses connected to casinos like Centenario, Diamante, and the betting website CrownCityBets, reinforcing government efforts to tighten control amid increased scrutiny.
Official Pushback and Industry Support
Luisa María Alcalde, former head of SEGOB, also spoke out forcefully against the allegations. She clarified that Clíe received only one license in 2017 during ex-president Enrique Peña Nieto’s term and dismissed claims that additional licenses were handed out under López Obrador’s government. Alcalde noted that the newer licenses issued after legal disputes had strict restrictions, excluding authorization for common casino games, which severely limits their operational usefulness.
“Mexicans who favor corruption, in their typical fashion, want to link me to the former secretary of public security of Tabasco. I had never seen this Requena character in my life. I have never committed a single act of corruption or dishonesty,”
The Association of Licensees and Suppliers of the Entertainment and Gambling Industry in Mexico (AIEJA) backed SEGOB’s stance, urging for accurate and verified reporting to protect a tightly regulated industry under increasing attack. They warned sensationalized stories risk damaging public trust and destabilizing legitimate businesses.
Background: Mexico’s Casino Sector Under Siege
The controversy emerges against a backdrop of escalating scandals within Mexico’s gambling industry. Earlier this month, the US Treasury Department imposed sanctions on three individuals and two casinos with links to the Northeast Cartel, a group designated as a terrorist organization by US authorities.
In 2022, Mexico’s General Directorate of Games and Sweepstakes faced accusations that casino inspectors engaged in racketeering—extorting local casino owners to pay bribes to maintain licenses or avoid heavy penalties. These ongoing allegations highlight enduring vulnerabilities to criminal infiltration within the casino licensing process.
Why It Matters Now
The latest dispute over these 20 contested casino licenses spotlights Mexico’s struggle to maintain regulatory integrity amid cartel violence and corruption. For US readers and law enforcement, the links between Mexican casinos and international criminal organizations raise alarms about cross-border money laundering and organized crime networks influencing legitimate industries.
Regulatory clarity and transparency remain crucial as Mexico aims to balance a booming gambling market worth billions with the urgent need to prevent illicit activities. Delaware, itself home to evolving gaming and betting regulations, monitors such global developments closely given the growing interconnectedness of North American gaming markets.
What’s Next?
Authorities promise further scrutiny and enforcement against licenses tied to criminal networks. Meanwhile, the media fallout is expected to continue as watchdog groups and industry insiders demand greater accountability. The legal disputes around these licenses are ongoing, keeping this issue very much in the spotlight.
The Delaware Herald will continue tracking updates on this unfolding scandal and its implications for international gambling regulation and criminal justice cooperation.
