Stake enters Mexico ahead of 2026 World Cup

• Stake has launched Stake.mx for the Mexican market, operating under a SEGOB permit structure through a local licence partner.
• The operator already holds regulated positions in Peru and Colombia as part of its Latin America expansion.
• Mexico co-hosts the 2026 FIFA World Cup from 11 June, with the tournament expected to drive significant sportsbook activity across the region.

Stake has entered Mexico with the launch of Stake.mx, extending its Latin America footprint as the country prepares to co-host the 2026 FIFA World Cup alongside the United States and Canada.

The platform goes live under a permit-based structure regulated by Mexico’s Secretaría de Gobernación (SEGOB). As foreign operators cannot hold a SEGOB licence directly, Stake is operating as an agent under the licence held by Producciones Móviles S.A. DE C.V. and its operator Capali la Paz Operaciones S.A. DE C.V.

Strategic timing

The World Cup runs from 11 June to 19 July, with Mexico hosting 13 matches across stadiums in Mexico City, Guadalajara and Monterrey. It is the first edition to feature 48 teams and the first co-hosted by three nations.

Jarrod Febbraio, director at Stake, said:

“We’ve built significant momentum across Latin America in recent years, including in markets such as Peru and Colombia, and Mexico represents a natural next step given its scale and long-term potential.”

Febbraio added that the timing reflects the operator’s ability to enter high-value markets at the right moment.

“It gives us the opportunity to establish a strong presence ahead of one of the biggest sporting events in the world and deliver a world-class experience for Mexican players.”

Stake’s broader push

The Mexico launch is part of a wider move by Stake into regulated local-currency markets. In February, the operator secured a five-year licence in Denmark. Stakelogic has since brought its full slot portfolio to Stake Denmark through the Relax Gaming aggregation platform, underlining the commercial build-out behind the regulated push.

On the content side, Stake has been expanding its proprietary offering, most recently with the launch of Moles under its Originals lineup, and has added Popok Gaming to its content library as part of broader supplier diversification.

The brand has also drawn attention beyond the gaming press. A Stake logo appeared in a post from Donald Trump’s White House account, raising its profile at a moment when the operator is actively seeking mainstream credibility.

On the ambassador front, Stake signed former Belgium international Eden Hazard as its 2026 World Cup ambassador in March, a deal that subsequently drew scrutiny from Belgium’s gambling regulator over Stake’s lack of a Belgian licence.

The Mexican market

Mexico’s iGaming market is valued at $970 million in 2026 and is projected to reach $1.96 billion by 2031, with a compound annual growth rate of 15.11%, per industry estimates. Sports betting accounts for the largest share of player activity, followed by casino games and live dealer products.

The market faces rising tax pressure. The government confirmed a 2026 fiscal package increasing the iGaming tax rate from 30% to 50%, a measure that has already influenced margin planning and bonus structures for operators in the country.

A separate bill proposes a primetime gambling ad ban before 10:30pm on all broadcast channels, though it remains pending legislative approval.

With Mexico’s opening match at Estadio Azteca fewer than six weeks away, the regulated entry positions Stake to capture sportsbook acquisition activity during what is expected to be the most commercially significant football event in the Latin American market for a generation.

For other operators still weighing Mexico, Stake’s local partnership model is likely to set a reference point as regulatory scrutiny around the tournament intensifies.