Bet365 and Betano, two online gambling platforms operated by subsidiaries of TV Azteca, were officially blocked by Mexico’s Financial Intelligence Unit of the Ministry of Finance due to an ongoing money laundering investigation. However, as of Wednesday afternoon, the websites were still accessible on desktop computers. Their mobile versions, on the other hand, were fully restricted. 

These sites operate under the companies Ganador Azteca, SAPI de CV, and Operadora Ganador TV Azteca, SAPI. They are part of a group of 13 online and land based casinos targeted by authorities for allegedly handling money linked to illegal activities. Interestingly, Grupo Salinas itself identified these subsidiaries during the investigation.

Background on the Permits and Operators

Bet365.mx operates in Mexico with permit DGJS/DGAAD/DCRCA/P-01/2018 issued to Ganador Azteca, a TV Azteca subsidiary, during Alfonso Navarrete Prida’s term as interior minister. The platform also partners with 365 Group Limited, a UK based company known for online gaming and sports betting. The same permit also covers Operadora Ganador TV Azteca, which runs the Betano brand and the betano.mx site. 

This company shares the same tax address as the Grupo Salinas TV network. Betano.mx claims to be authorized under several permits, including DGJS/DGAAD/DCRCA/P-01/2018, DGJS/723/2018, and a new authorization letter DGJS/3035/2025, valid until December 10, 2026. However, when trying to check these permits on the Ministry of the Interior website, users find the page only works on old browsers like Internet Explorer 10 or 11, making verification hard.

Scope of the Investigation

Bet365.mx and betano.mx are included in an investigation involving a network of casinos suspected of laundering money from criminal sources. The Financial Intelligence Unit has identified unusual financial activity linked to these platforms. The findings will be forwarded to the Attorney General’s Office to officially begin legal proceedings. 

Authorities discovered that some of the companies involved had tax addresses in states such as Jalisco, Nuevo León, Sinaloa, Sonora, Baja California, the State of Mexico, Chiapas, and Mexico City. These businesses reportedly handled large amounts of cash and carried out international transfers to countries including the United States, Romania, Albania, Malta, and Panama.

Public Impact and Current Access Issues

Users attempting to download the Bet365 app from the Google Play Store now receive a notice saying the item is not available in their country. This reflects the government’s effort to limit access to the platforms while investigations continue. 

Although desktop access remains possible for now, the restrictions signal increasing pressure on the companies involved as authorities work to uncover the full extent of the suspected money laundering network.