Operator News
Mexico – Mexican Judge dismissed for licensing Entretenimiento de México
By Phil - 2 May 2017
The Supreme Court of Justice of the Nation has permanently dismissed Judge Luis Armando Jerezano Treviño. In private session the Supreme Court confirmed the dismissal of Judge Luis Armando Jerezano Treviño, accused of issuing irregular sentences that benefited casino owners.
At the beginning of 2014, the judge was denounced before the Attorney General’s Office (PGR) for alleged illicit enrichment. He is also under investigation for alleged money laundering in the United States. The Judiciary Council determined that it was fully demonstrated that as federal judge Jerezano Treviño had acted irregularly in resolving a number of lawsuits related to the granting of permits for the operation of casinos owned by Juan José Rojas Cardonas the so called “Czar of Casinos.” The Supreme Court of Justice confirmed the judge’s definitive dismissal, who while working as a federal judge illegally received more than $20m pesos allegedly in return for favouring the operation of casinos.
The court unanimously ruled against a motion filed by the judge against his dismissal. According to the court as a Fourth District Judge Jerezano ruled in favour of a number of decisions revolving around the operational permits of casinos as he had close ties with the operators.
Court stays of closure and operator’s ability to reverse court decisions when it comes to revoking licences has been one of the key issues plaguing the industry. Operators have consistently been able to turn to the courts in order to counteract measures put in place by the Interior Ministry (SEGOB). This has led to speculation that the large number of casinos which have been able to remain open points to collusion when it comes to local judges and the gaming industry.
In November 2014 a Mexican Court upheld the revocation of the license granted in 2005 to Entretenimiento de México (EMEX ).The licence allowed EMEX to operate 50 casinos for 25 years. Owned by brothers Arturo Rojas Cardona and Juan Jose Rojas Cardona EMEX was one of the largest operators in Mexico. Emex is reported to have owned and run the gaming operations going under brand names Palms, Sportzone, Bet and Win and Crystal Palace which operated in the cities of Nuevo Leon, Veracruz, Quintana Roo, Queretaro and Mexico City. Although the company was authorised to run 50 gaming centres which included sports betting shops and slot parlours (in Mexico many slot parlours also house sports betting shops) the company only ran 25 gaming centres in all when the court made its decision.
