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GAMMEX 2009
GAMMEX 2009
Mexico City’s first expo!
As gaming sponsored bills set the country for Las Vegas-style casinos,
Mexico City gets ready to welcome the first international gaming show.
W
ith the gaming legislation process
getting hotter in Mexico and with less
than 60 days from the first ever
industry expo in Mexico City, the
Gaming & Amusement Expo Mexico -
GAMMEX 2009 has made two important
announcements. These are the incorporation of Valeria certainty to gamblers and impede irregularities in the
Guzman as Marketing Manager and a media partnership sector. The present law dates from 1947 and has been
with the Argentine magazine Sector. described by legislators as outdated.
As an expert in marketing and tourism, Valeria Guzman The politicians concerned said in a statement: “We
is Customer Service Manager in Nicaragua’s Tourist know that some permits have been issued by underhand
Institute (INTUR) and in charge of organizing the means both in the application of standards and the
institute’s participation in international expos. As a emission of licences by the authorities, which leads to
marketing officer of Korean company ACE A&G, Guzman the gaming industry being in irresponsible hands. These
was responsible for customer services during ICE 2007. take no account of social issues, give no legal certainty
Guzman said: “I believe than my experience in and bring no benefits to the community.”
marketing and the tourist sector, along with my studies The initiative proposes that the law establishes order
Valeria Guzman
in Europe will be valuable in my new appointment. I am so that regulated licences are subject to the Federal Law
used to working in a team environment where creativity on Organized Crime, enabling illicit funds to be traced
and sales drive are essential success tools.” and dealt with by the relevant authorities. Towards the
GAMMEX 2009, which will be held at the World Trade end of last year, the House of Representatives approved
Center in Mexico City during 1-2 April, is the first event by 354 votes in favour the proposed reforms to the
of its kind in the Mexican capital city. The event Federal Gaming and Lottery Law.
promises to bring together the main representative The bill authorises the state governments and
companies in the amusement sector in the country and municipalities throughout Mexico to choose whether to
gaming industry leaders, including Merkur Gaming, allow gaming operations or not in their territories. The
Gary Platt, and Boss Gaming among many others. legislative amendment has now been sent to the Senate
Early last month, the Sub-commission of Gaming from in the next stage of the legal process. Rep Adolfo Mota
the Tourism Commission presented a White Paper to Hernández confirmed that the amendments are a step
regulate gambling games such as roulette, dice, card forwards and strengthen the federal agreement with
games, slot machines and other casino betting games as permanent communication between the Secretary of
well as horse and greyhound racing, with the aim of State (Segob) and the states and municipalities.
eradicating corruption in the emission of licences and of The modification of Article 4 of the Law establishes
bringing international standards to betting and lotteries, that gaming and betting operations in the federation
and gaming rooms in general. must have the consent of the relevant state and local
The initiative, sponsored by the sub-commission authorities before receiving a licence from Segob. Some
president Armando García Méndez (PSD), Martha states Governors, as in Sonora, have frequently decried
Angélica Romo Jiménez (PAN) and María Soledad López the issue of gaming room licences in their jurisdictions.
Torres (PRD), has been sent to the Tourism Commission What the Segob sponsored bill does in effect is to
with the purpose of stimulating both federal and local broaden the gaming licensing process, which was abused
growth in the generation of employment and investment and centralized under its jurisdiction, Now with the
in social and economic programmes, particularly in the White Paper on the approval of traditional casino games,
communities where entertainment centres are opened. sponsored by the Tourism sub commission on gaming
The politicians want to expedite a new Federal legislation, the emergence of Las Vegas style gaming is a
Gaming and Betting Law, one that would bring about step closer. This could bring the local governments
national standards in the Mexican gaming industry revenues, much needed under current economic
under a transparent legal framework. This would bring conditions, sooner than one almost dares to hope.
32 FEBRUARY 2009
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