MEXICO CITY — In a sweeping operation targeting financial crimes, Mexican authorities have shut down 13 casinos across the country for alleged involvement in a complex money laundering scheme linked to organized crime. The crackdown, announced on November 12, 2025, was carried out by the Secretariat of Security and Citizen Protection (SSPC) and the Ministry of Finance and Public Credit (SHCP), with support from the Federal Attorney General’s Office (FGR).
The investigation uncovered irregular financial movements and fiscal omissions at multiple betting houses, prompting the suspension of physical operations and the blocking of associated websites and bank accounts. Among the affected establishments are two casinos reportedly owned by businessman Ricardo Salinas Pliego, though officials have not directly tied them to cartel activity.
The U.S. Treasury Department also joined the effort, announcing sanctions on 27 companies, including the Hysa Group and 10 Mexican casinos, for allegedly laundering money on behalf of the Sinaloa Cartel. The Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) issued the sanctions on November 13, 2025, as part of a coordinated international response.
Authorities say the laundering strategy involved attracting customers with small gambling credits and inflating reported winnings to disguise illicit funds. The operation is part of a broader push to dismantle financial networks supporting drug trafficking and organized crime.
Officials have pledged continued oversight of the gaming industry and warned that further closures may follow. The crackdown highlights growing cooperation between Mexican and U.S. agencies in combating transnational criminal finance.
Follow-up: I can list the cities where these casinos were located or explain how OFAC sanctions affect business operations.
Source: El Pais
