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

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On October 17, 2025, Mexico’s Chamber of Deputies passed a law that would add an 8% tax to video games considered “violent.” This tax would apply to all game purchases, whether they are physical copies or downloaded online, if the games meet specific criteria.

Our research suggests the governing body likely planned for taxes of 30 to 50% on certain undesirable goods or activities, hoping to discourage people from buying them, though its effectiveness wasn’t certain.

Mexico Seeks an 8% Tax on all “Violent Video Games”

The proposal for an 8% tax referenced “recent studies” claiming that teenagers who play violent video games are more aggressive. However, the document itself didn’t include any of the actual data from those studies.

Many sources have challenged these kinds of claims, including a 2019 study by researchers at the University of Oxford.

Professor Andrew Przybylski, who leads research at the Oxford Internet Institute, says the widely held belief that violent video games cause aggression in real life hasn’t been consistently supported by research. Despite ongoing interest from parents and policymakers, studies haven’t proven a link that warrants concern.

Next Steps for the Package

Just because these policies have received initial approval doesn’t mean they’re official yet. Mexico, like the United States, has a two-part Congress. The Chamber of Deputies, which is like our House of Representatives and currently controlled by left-leaning parties, has already approved the policies, but the Senate – Mexico’s upper house – still needs to give its approval before they become law.

Many believe this outcome is probable because the same political party, Morena, controls both the Senate and the House of Representatives. Once the Senate approves the package, it will then go to President Claudia Sheinbaum, who is also a member of Morena, for her signature.

Mike Straw from Insider Gaming reports that this new rule will only impact games rated “C” or “D” according to Mexico’s video game rating system, SMECCV. This system uses letters to indicate age appropriateness, with “C” meaning the game is for ages 18 and up, and “D” meaning it’s only for adults.

Taxing the Industry to Death

Gaming industry experts believe the new proposed laws could seriously damage the Grand Theft Auto series. Because of its long-standing reputation for violence and controversial content, Rockstar’s upcoming GTA 6 is expected to see a significant drop in sales within Mexico.

The problem isn’t just the new 8% tax; it’s that it’s on top of the existing 16% VAT. When you combine that with a potential price of around $100, it could create a really difficult situation.

Rockstar Games has always been known for taking risks, which used to attract attention and boost sales. However, this tendency to push boundaries could now backfire and harm the company financially, as it’s angered the Mexican government.

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2025-10-21 14:56