Coahuila lawmaker proposes online betting risk and spending records

Alberto Hurtado, a deputy in Coahuila's Congress, presented a motion calling on federal and state authorities to set up information, prevention and care mechanisms for online betting platforms, according to the text of the proposal. The motion, a punto de acuerdo, asks the federal government to assess the viability of a national information mechanism recording participation and spending patterns on such platforms, with data protection measures. It does not propose an immediate block on applications or changes to federal regulation.

At state level, the motion asks the Coahuila government, through the Secretaría de Salud, to produce a local diagnosis identifying risk groups and to strengthen prevention, early detection and mental health care related to problem gambling. It also proposes better guidance for families and referral to specialised services. Hurtado said the state Congress cannot itself amend federal laws to block applications, but that possible reforms within state competences would be examined.

The proposal cites the ENCODAT 2025 survey, according to which 4.3% of the population aged 12 to 65 took part in betting games and 6.3% of them showed indicators of problem gambling, equivalent to about 249,000 people. Among adolescents aged 12 to 17, 6.9% took part in the past year and 7% of that group showed signs of a problem, around 63,000 minors. Hurtado said the figures cover betting in general, do not distinguish digital platforms and offer no diagnosis specific to Coahuila, which he said made local data necessary.

Hurtado said the measure is not intended to criminalise use of the platforms or to exceed state competences on regulating games and draws, and that it focuses on public health and family protection. He described a contradiction in prohibiting physical casinos in Coahuila while digital betting remains accessible.

According to the proposal, physical casinos are banned in the state while virtual betting is reachable from mobile devices and computers. Hurtado said anyone can bet through a phone or application around the clock.