Mexico Moves Closer to Taxing Violent Video Games With 8% Levy

Mexico’s Chamber of Deputies (the lower house of the Congress) has approved a financial reform package that includes an 8% tax on video games classified as violent.

Mexico Moves Closer to Taxing Violent Video Games With 8% Levy

The proposal, which still needs Senate approval, would apply to both physical and digital titles rated “C” and “D” under Mexico’s classification system, roughly equivalent to ESRB’s Mature 17+ and Adults Only ratings.

If passed, the tax would also extend to in-game purchases and microtransactions in free-to-play titles. That means players spending money in games like Fortnite or Call of Duty Mobile could see higher costs starting in 2026. Popular franchises such as Grand Theft Auto and Mortal Kombat would also fall under the new rules.

The idea was first floated in early September, with lawmakers citing “recent studies” that allegedly link violent video games to aggression, isolation, and anxiety among adolescents.

The tax is part of a broader reform of Mexico’s Special Tax on Production and Services (IEPS). Alongside video games, the package also raises taxes on online gambling, soft drinks, cigarettes, and fuel.

One of the most significant changes outside gaming is the increase in the tax rate on online gambling, which will jump from 30% to 50%.

President Claudia Sheinbaum has defended the reforms, stating that the additional revenue will help fund children’s health and education programs. The Ministry of Finance projects that the new measures could generate MXN 761.5 billion in 2026, a 10% increase compared to expected revenues for 2025.

For gamers, the immediate concern is how this will affect prices and accessibility. An 8% hike on already expensive titles could make premium games even harder to afford. And if you’re someone who spends regularly on microtransactions, the impact could be felt even more directly.

The bill now heads to the Mexican Senate for further debate. If approved, the new taxes will officially take effect in 2026.

Sources: Insider Gaming & Fox2Now