Violent Video Game Tax Is Getting Closer to Reality

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Mexico may soon tax violent video games. The Chamber of Deputies approved the tax as part of a larger plan to raise government revenue, and the proposal is now being considered by the Senate. If passed, this could lead to higher prices for games and more oversight of the video game industry in Mexico, which is one of the largest gaming markets in Latin America.

A recent Human Rights Watch report from 2025 indicates that Mexico continues to struggle with very high levels of homicide and violent crime. While the peak year was 2022, when six cities saw more than 100 homicides for every 100,000 people, the national rate has dipped slightly to around 25 per 100,000. However, a rise in reported missing persons suggests the number of actual homicides may not have decreased as much as the statistics show. Drug cartels are largely responsible for the ongoing violence, and the government has found it difficult to control them.

Mexico’s Chamber of Deputies Approves 8% Tax on Violent Video Games

Although the link between video games and real-world violence is questionable, video games are an easy target for lawmakers. Recently, Mexico’s Chamber of Deputies voted to impose an 8% tax on violent video games on October 17th. This tax is part of a larger economic plan for 2026 that also includes increased taxes on unhealthy items like sugary drinks, tobacco, and gambling, framed as a way to improve public health.

Mexico’s New Tax Proposal Also Targeting Other Types of Video Games

This proposal is essentially a tax on adult-rated video games. It applies not just to games with violent content, but to any game rated 18+ or adult-only under Mexico’s content classification system. Originally introduced on September 14th, the proposal was accompanied by a Treasury Department presentation claiming links between violent video games and increased aggression, isolation, and anxiety in teenagers. However, the presentation didn’t mention any specific research to support these claims.

What’s Next for Mexico’s 2026 Economic Package Proposal

The proposal will now be debated in the Senate over the next few weeks. Lawmakers have until November 15th to decide if they will pass the legislation. The current version is unclear about whether the tax will apply to both physical and online purchases, and how it will handle things like subscriptions, downloadable content, and small in-game purchases. If the proposal is approved, the Senate is expected to provide more details and clarify these issues in their version of the law.

Mexico is considering a new tax on violent video games, which would be added to the country’s current 16% value-added tax (VAT) that has been in place since 2010. The government says the tax is intended to generate funds to support programs for people experiencing negative psychological or social effects believed to be caused by video games.

Sources: Human Rights Watch, Insider Gaming

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2025-10-19 02:34