Poker in Mexico

Is poker legal in Mexico?

Yes. Gambling is legal in Mexico under the 1947 Federal Gaming and Raffles Law (Ley Federal de Juegos y Sorteos), updated by the 2004 regulations. The regulator is SEGOB (Secretaría de Gobernación). Land-based casinos must hold a SEGOB permit. Mexico has ~250 licensed casinos nationwide, though only roughly 30-40 offer live poker tables — most floors are slot-dominated. Online poker technically requires a SEGOB license; major sites (PokerStars MX, GGPoker, Codere) operate locally.

Where can I play live poker in Mexico?

Top venues: Casino Royale (Mexico City) — flagship live poker room with regular cash games and tournaments. Caliente Casino chain — multi-city operator covering Tijuana, Monterrey, Guadalajara and more. Big Bola Casino — second-largest chain. Tourist hubs: Cancun, Acapulco, Tijuana, Puerto Vallarta. The Latin American Poker Tour (LAPT) under PokerStars historically held Mexico stops, and WSOP Latin America has hosted Cancun events.

What is LPM (Liga Profesional Mexicana de Poker)?

LPM — Liga Profesional Mexicana de Poker — is Mexico's domestic professional poker league, running since 2017. Organizes circuit-style events across major Mexican cities with peso-denominated buy-ins, leaderboards and a championship final. LPM has become the backbone of the Mexican grassroots scene and a feeder into international tours such as the LAPT and WSOP Circuit Latin America.

Are poker winnings taxed in Mexico?

Yes. Poker winnings are treated as income under Mexican tax law and fall under the progressive personal income tax (ISR), reaching up to 35% in the top bracket. Casinos themselves pay a 1% federal gambling tax (Impuesto sobre Juegos con Apuestas) plus state-level taxes. High-roller events typically settle in USD, but reporting obligations still apply for Mexican residents on worldwide income.

Who are the top Mexican poker pros?

Notable Mexican-based pros: Angel Guillen — long-time tournament regular with multiple LAPT cashes and high-roller results. Luis Velador — two-time WSOP bracelet winner (2010 PLO and Limit Hold'em) born in Mexico. Manuel Bevand — French expat based in Mexico, multi-million-dollar high-roller earner across Triton and Super High Roller Bowl events. The amateur scene is large and Spanish-speaking, making Mexico the unofficial hub of Latin American poker outside Brazil.