How to Bet on Sports in Mexico as an American
1.6 million Americans can't be wrong
Here's the thing: Mexico is actually the easiest country in Latin America for Americans to bet. You just need to know the right path.
⚡ TL;DR — The Quick Answer
Mexico's Massive Advantage: Retail Betting
Unlike most of Latin America, Mexico has physical sportsbooks everywhere. Caliente alone has 200+ retail locations. You can walk in with your US passport, cash in hand, and place a bet in person. No app downloads, no crypto, no declined credit cards.
This is why 1.6 million Americans have chosen Mexico. The infrastructure just works.
✅ The Mexico Advantage
Caliente retail locations accept US passports for in-person betting. Walk in, show ID, deposit cash, bet. It's that simple. This alone makes Mexico the most accessible betting market for Americans in Latin America.
Your Options: Ranked
Find a Caliente location (they're in malls, on busy streets, near stadiums). Show your US passport. Deposit pesos. Place bets on terminals or with staff. Cash out winnings on the spot.
Best for: Tourists, new arrivals, anyone who wants zero friction. No app, no account setup, no banking issues.
Crypto sportsbook that accepts US passports. Coinbase → USDT → Stake → Bet. Same process as anywhere in Latin America. Better odds and more markets than Caliente.
Best for: Serious bettors who want best odds, live betting, player props, instant withdrawals.
Create account at Betsson or Codere (accept US passport). Generate deposit reference. Walk into any OXXO (there are 20,000+ in Mexico). Pay cash. Funds appear in minutes.
Best for: People who want online betting but don't want to deal with crypto. Limit ~10,000 MXN per transaction.
Best Sportsbooks for Americans in Mexico
Mexico's dominant sportsbook since 2004. 200+ physical locations. Walk-in betting with US passport. The online app requires Mexican residency, but retail is wide open. NFL viewing parties at locations during big games.
Best online option for Americans anywhere in Latin America. Crypto deposits bypass all US banking restrictions. Better odds than Caliente on most markets, especially props and live betting.
Spanish operator with strong Mexico presence. Accepts US passports online. Works with OXXO deposits. Good Liga MX coverage. Interface is Spanish-dominant but navigable.
Swedish-owned international operator. Accepts US passports. OXXO and SPEI deposits work. English available. Similar quality to their Colombia operation.
Step-by-Step: Caliente Retail (The Easiest Path)
This is literally the lowest-friction way for an American to bet anywhere in Latin America:
Find a Caliente Location
Google "Caliente cerca de mí" or check their website. They're in malls (Plaza Satélite, Perisur), on major streets, and near sports venues. Major cities have dozens of locations.
Bring Your US Passport + Pesos
Cash only at retail. ATMs are everywhere. Withdraw what you're comfortable betting. They'll photocopy your passport for records (standard KYC).
Create Your Caliente Card (Optional)
They'll offer you a loyalty card. Worth it if you're betting regularly—you can check balances, track bets, and it speeds up future visits.
Place Your Bet
Use the self-service terminals (touchscreen, pretty intuitive) or go to the counter and tell staff what you want. "Quiero apostar en [team] para ganar" works fine. They're used to Americans.
Keep Your Ticket
You get a printed betting slip. This is your proof. If you win, bring it back to any Caliente location to cash out.
💡 Pro Tip: Caliente NFL Sundays
Many Caliente locations are basically sports bars with betting terminals. During NFL season, they show all the games, serve drinks, and the atmosphere is electric. It's the closest thing to a Vegas sportsbook in Latin America.
Where to Watch (And Bet) in Mexico
Mexico City
Playa del Carmen / Riviera Maya
Puerto Vallarta
Time Zones: Even Better Than Colombia
Most of Mexico is on Central Time—one hour behind Eastern. This means Sunday afternoon football starts at noon instead of 1 PM. Monday Night Football at 7:15 PM instead of 8:15 PM. Even more civilized.
| Game Slot | US Eastern | Mexico City | Cancún* |
|---|---|---|---|
| NFL Early Sunday | 1:00 PM | 12:00 PM | 12:00 PM |
| NFL Late Sunday | 4:25 PM | 3:25 PM | 3:25 PM |
| Sunday Night Football | 8:20 PM | 7:20 PM | 7:20 PM |
| Monday Night Football | 8:15 PM | 7:15 PM | 7:15 PM |
*Quintana Roo (Cancún/Playa/Tulum) is on Eastern Time and doesn't observe DST, so times vary seasonally.
The Banking Situation
Same story as everywhere: US banks block gambling transactions. But Mexico has more workarounds:
OXXO is Mexico's 7-Eleven equivalent—they're literally everywhere. Betsson and Codere both accept OXXO deposits. Get a reference number from the sportsbook, walk into OXXO, pay cash, funds appear in minutes.
Coinbase → USDT → Stake. Same process worldwide. Better odds than local operators, instant withdrawals, no cash handling.
BBVA Mexico and Banorte open accounts for foreigners with passport + proof of address. Once you have SPEI (Mexico's instant transfer), everything unlocks including Caliente online.
FAQ
Can I use the Caliente app with a US passport?
The app requires Mexican residency verification (INE or residency card). But retail locations accept US passports. If you get a Mexican bank account and address, you might be able to get online access—YMMV.
Is Mexico safer than other Latin American countries for betting?
From a legal/regulatory standpoint, yes. SEGOB (federal gaming authority) has been regulating since 2004. Caliente is a legitimate, publicly-known company. It's as "above board" as betting gets in Latin America.
How's the NFL culture in Mexico?
Massive. The NFL plays regular season games in Mexico City (at Estadio Azteca). Cowboys, Steelers, Raiders, and 49ers have huge followings. You'll find more NFL fans here than most US cities. The atmosphere at Pinche Gringo on Sundays rivals any American sports bar.
What about betting on Liga MX (Mexican soccer)?
Caliente is the title sponsor of Liga MX—coverage is obviously excellent. América, Chivas, Cruz Azul, Tigres matches have tons of betting markets. Great way to get into local sports while you're here.
Can I bet on boxing?
Mexico is boxing country. Canelo fights are national events. All the sportsbooks have extensive boxing coverage, especially for Mexican fighters. Caliente runs big promos around major fights.
The Bottom Line
Mexico is the easiest place for Americans to bet in all of Latin America. Caliente retail accepts your US passport and cash—no apps, no crypto, no banking hassles. Walk in, bet, watch the game, cash out.
If you want better odds and online convenience, Stake with crypto is the move. But the fact that you can just walk into a sportsbook with your American passport makes Mexico unique.
1.6 million Americans figured this out. Now you have too.
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