Mexican Regulator Denies Reforma’s Report on Casino Licenses Connected to Hernán Bermúdez Requena

(AsiaGameHub) –   Mexico’s gambling authority, SEGOB, has refuted a report from Reforma claiming that 20 casino permits were granted to a firm linked to Hernán Bermúdez Requena, a former security official from Tabasco who is currently detained.

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Good to Know

• SEGOB clarified that the permits were issued only following a judicial mandate.
• The regulator stated that the casinos in question have not yet begun operations.
• AIEJA supported SEGOB’s position and emphasized the importance of accurate reporting regarding regulated gaming licenses.

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SEGOB Attributes Licensing Decision to Court Mandate

Reforma featured the story on its Monday front page, alleging that 20 casino licenses were approved for Compañía Operadora Clíe, a business associated with Hernán Bermúdez Requena. The newspaper associated these approvals with the final year of Andrés Manuel López Obrador’s presidency.

Bermúdez Requena, who previously served as Tabasco’s Secretary of Security and Citizen Protection, is currently in custody in Mexico facing criminal charges. He is accused by authorities of leading La Barredora, which is identified as an operational wing of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel.

SEGOB dismissed the main allegation in a statement posted on its website. The national gaming regulator explained that the licenses were not granted voluntarily by the government but were issued to Clie SA de CV following a court order from the Metropolitan Regional Chamber of Administrative Justice.

The regulator further noted that the 20 licenses have not resulted in any active casino operations. It mentioned that the licenses for the Centenario and Diamante casinos, along with the CrownCityBets website, have been suspended since the judicial order was issued.

SEGOB also disputed Reforma’s portrayal of the licensing structure. According to the regulator, the 20 licenses were managed under permits assigned to different entities rather than Clie SA de CV, which contradicts the newspaper’s account.

Reforma’s report cited an investigation by Mexicans Against Corruption and Impunity (MCCI), a non-profit group that examines corruption within Mexico’s public and private sectors.

AIEJA, the association representing Mexico’s gaming industry operators and suppliers, backed the regulator and expressed “respectful support” for SEGOB’s position and the clarifications made by Alcalde.

“In this regard, AIEJA considers it essential that information related to permits, authorisations, establishments and operations in the sector be treated with objectivity, truthfulness and strict adherence to documented facts.

“Based on this premise, the association calls for responsible and accurate public discourse on issues related to this industry, in order to preserve the legal certainty of a formally regulated sector subject to ongoing supervision.”

The disagreement now focuses on whether Reforma correctly detailed the permit issuance process, the parties in control, and the operational status of the casinos mentioned in the report.