Coahuila state legislator Alberto Hurtado has filed a punto de acuerdo in the state Congress asking federal and state authorities to set up ways to collect information on, prevent and treat problems linked to online betting platforms. The proposal was made public on 27 October 2026. It has not been reported whether it was read out in session or simply filed.

A punto de acuerdo is a non-binding resolution. It is not a bill and does not change anyone’s obligations.

What the resolution asks for

It asks the federal government to study whether a national statistical information mechanism on participation and spending on betting platforms is workable, with personal data protected. One version of the coverage adds that it would separate deposits, amounts wagered and net losses. None of the known accounts describe a register of individual players.

It asks the Coahuila government, through its Health Ministry, to produce a state-level assessment that identifies at-risk groups and strengthens prevention, early detection and mental-health care, while improving guidance for families and referrals to specialist services.

The limits the lawmaker acknowledges

Hurtado said the proposal is not meant to criminalise use of the platforms or go beyond the state’s powers on gaming. He frames it as a public-health and family-protection issue.

He also acknowledged that the state Congress cannot change federal law to block apps, though he said reforms giving local authorities more powers will be studied.

“I see a contradiction in not allowing casinos to be set up in Coahuila while allowing digital betting; at the end of the day a physical casino and a virtual one are the same,” he said. He added that “now anyone can bet through a phone or an app.”

The figures cited

The lawmaker relied on national data from the ENCODAT 2025 survey. According to those figures, 4.3% of people aged 12 to 65 took part in betting, and 6.3% of that group showed signs of problem gambling, around 249,000 people.

Among 12- to 17-year-olds, 6.9% bet in the past 12 months and 7% of them showed signs of a problem, roughly 63,000 young people. Hurtado himself noted that the survey covers betting in general, does not isolate online betting and is not an assessment of Coahuila.

Background

Coahuila amended its constitution in 2012 to bar its 38 municipalities from issuing land-use permits for casinos, betting centres and sorteo halls. In 2023, the governor reiterated that he would not authorise casinos during his term.

Gaming permits, however, are federal: they are issued by the Interior Ministry (SEGOB) under the Ley Federal de Juegos y Sorteos. That is why online operators holding federal permits can serve players in a state that bans physical casinos.

What it means for operators and affiliates

Nothing changes for now. The resolution does not bind any authority or create new requirements.

The item to watch is the idea of a national data mechanism on participation and spending. If federal authorities took it up, it could translate into reporting obligations for operators. At this stage it is only a request for a feasibility study.

The second point is the public-health framing. A state assessment and any local reforms on the consequences of gambling could increase scrutiny of advertising, protection of minors and responsible-gambling tools, even without powers to block platforms.

For affiliates with traffic in Coahuila, it is prudent to check that campaigns avoid underage audiences and give visibility to the responsible-gambling tools of the operators they promote. In a state that bans physical casinos, the debate over online betting is likely to stay on the local agenda.

This article is based on public information available at the time of publication. We try to verify the facts, but figures and details may contain errors or change, and iGaming.mx accepts no responsibility for their accuracy. It is not legal, tax or financial advice. Spotted a mistake? Email us.