AIEJA estimates Mexican casinos support 200,000 jobs

Mexico has 423 authorised casinos that generate more than 60,000 direct jobs and support about 200,000 positions when indirect roles are included, according to estimates by AIEJA, the Asociación de Permisionarios, Operadores y Proveedores de la Industria del Entretenimiento y Juego de Apuestas en México. The association said the establishments are distributed across 30 federal entities.

AIEJA estimates that the gambling and betting industry represents around 0.5% of national GDP, a share that includes activities broader than land-based casinos. The association said casino operations create demand for technology, maintenance, surveillance, cleaning and catering suppliers, including small and medium-sized companies. It also cited federal and local tax obligations and continued investment in infrastructure, technology and modernisation of facilities.

The association said Mexico has around 80 legal online gambling platforms and more than 100,000 authorised machines in regulated establishments. AIEJA said recognising the sector's economic reach does not reduce the importance of gambling-related risks, and that market growth requires clear rules, supervision mechanisms suited to each modality, user protection and effective responsible-gambling measures. It also said a distinction is needed between operators that meet their obligations and those operating outside the law.

Ricardo Barraza, AIEJA's director of communication and institutional relations, has called for wider dissemination of information on employment, investment, tax contributions and links with national suppliers so that the sector's contribution is not left in the background of public debate. The association said it aims to give greater visibility to the sector's economic contribution, from contracts with national suppliers to investment and tax obligations, in a market covering both physical establishments and digital platforms.