A bill in Mexico is increasing the punishment for individuals caught in the act of match-fixing, with prison sentences introduced and additional fines and bans also a possibility for perpetrators.
The legislative process has begun in Mexico’s Chamber of Deputies, with the proposal sent to the Justice Commission for consideration. Its future will be determined there.
Bill part of wider reform package
The proposal, introduced by Marcelo Torres Cofiño, would amend the Federal Penal Code to strengthen protections for the integrity of professional sports.
Insider information will also be in the crosshairs, with guilty parties, such as team owners, executives or major competitions, subject to tougher sanctions. Lawmakers will also consider if any fraud occurs in major tournaments or through licensed betting operators for more aggressive penalties.
Marcelo Torres Cofiño of the National Action Party (PAN).is the figure driving the change in law. He said: “Football cannot become a financial instrument without clear rules. When those who run a club also have interests in betting, the trust of fans and the ethical value of sport are undermined. Mexico must act before scandals multiply.”
Recent match-fixing investigations have heightened concerns among Mexican officials and sports authorities, underscoring the vulnerability of lower-tier competitions to betting-related corruption. A series of probes into suspicious results has renewed calls for stronger oversight and criminal penalties, with regulators warning that isolated cases risk escalating into broader integrity threats if left unchecked.
Recent spate of match-fixing cases in Mexico sparking alarm
There have been several instances of corruption in Mexican sport over recent years. In April last year, the Mexican Football Federation banned a Mazatlán FC women’s player for six years following an investigation into alleged match-fixing during the 2025 Clausura tournament. The federation said its disciplinary body reviewed evidence and heard from those involved before imposing the sanction under its regulations and FIFA ethics rules, prohibiting the player from all professional soccer activities.
In January 2026, authorities opened another investigation into alleged match-fixing in the third-tier Liga Premier MX, suspending a scheduled match as a precaution.
Investigators said the probe centered on claims that player Sofía Álvarez Tostado and a small group offered financial incentives to influence results, raising concerns about illegal betting in lower divisions. Several players were sidelined while inquiries continue, with clubs citing possible coercion by outside actors.
As the proposal moves through Congress, its outcome could mark a turning point in how Mexico confronts corruption in sport. Lawmakers and regulators say stronger criminal penalties, combined with ongoing enforcement efforts, will be key to restoring confidence and safeguarding the integrity of competitions in the years ahead.
Mexico considers gambling ad ban
Elsewhere, Mexican lawmakers are looking to follow in the footsteps of other international governments in tackling gambling advertising. Last month, Member of the Chamber of Deputies of Mexico Jerico Abramo Masso introduced a bill to restrict gambling advertising, aiming to protect minors ahead of the upcoming World Cup. The proposal would ban ads during “family viewing hours,” including primetime sports broadcasts and any time before 10:30 p.m.
Abramo Masso said the measure is intended to curb misleading messaging that could harm young audiences. He warned that widespread promotion of online betting during sports events risks normalizing gambling and exposing children to unrealistic promises of quick wealth.
The bill has been sent to committees in the Chamber of Deputies and could move to a full congressional debate if approved. Mexico is set to host 13 matches during the tournament, increasing scrutiny on advertising during major sporting events.
The proposal builds on existing rules requiring non-deceptive advertising and limits on targeting minors, while the sector faces added pressure from higher taxes. Similar restrictions are also being considered elsewhere in Latin America, including in Brazil.
Fellow World Cup host, Canada, has also gone hard at gambling advertising. In Ontario, regulators introduced one of North America’s strictest gambling advertising regimes when the market opened in 2022, later fining operators such as DraftKings, BetMGM and PointsBet for violations and tightening rules to ban celebrity endorsements. Alberta is now preparing to launch a similar commercial market modeled on Ontario’s approach.
At the federal level, Marty Deacon is pushing for a national advertising framework, with legislation passed by the Senate and under review in the House of Commons. The proposal would task the heritage minister with setting nationwide standards, while industry groups including the Canadian Gaming Association and Ad Standards are developing their own code.
