Mexican authorities are concerned at the number of illegal casinos that have sprung up in the state of Tamaulipas, adjoining the US border.
The casinos have appeared in at least four cities. The local chamber of commerce has appealed to the authorities to take action against the casinos before harm comes to the legitimate industry.
Carlos Muñoz González, vice president of the local chamber, said: “If the authorities do not act urgently on the matter, an industry that has prospered healthily could break down, by encouraging unfair and dark competition.
“We ask that you investigate authorised fast track casinos in the last month of the previous state administration, as there is doubt about the legality of their opening and they are not in the list of legal casinos, derived from the agreement of the chambers of commerce and the government for its regulation.”