This Country Targets Violent Video Games With an 8% Tax — a Major Blow for Gta 6
Mexico is pulling out a new weapon against violence: an 8% tax on video games deemed violent. And guess who’s right in the crosshairs? Rockstar’s upcoming giant, GTA 6. A decision already making controllers (and wallets) tremble.
Officially, the Mexican government says it wants to protect young people and fund psychological support programs. Unofficially, the measure feels like a clumsy attempt to make the virtual world responsible for real-life problems. Between moral debates, political suspicions, and rising prices, the whole country is asking: should virtual violence really be taxed while the cartels continue to play in free mode?
Image credit: Rockstar Games
An 8% Tax Approved by Mexican Lawmakers
On October 17, the Mexican Chamber of Deputies voted to impose an 8% tax on violent video games, applying to all titles rated C (18+) and D (adults only) under Mexico’s own content classification system. The Treasury Department justified the move by citing studies claiming to show a link between violent video games and aggressive behavior among teenagers, as well as negative psychological effects like isolation and anxiety. However, the budget presentation offered no concrete scientific references to support these claims.
The bill must now be reviewed by the Mexican Senate before the November 15 deadline. Several questions remain unanswered. The current draft does not clearly specify whether the tax will apply to:
- Both physical and digital editions of games
- Subscription services like Game Pass or PlayStation Plus
- DLCs and additional content
- In-game microtransactions
Lawmakers will need to clarify these points before implementation, which is scheduled for 2026.
A Measure in the Name of Public Health
This initiative comes amid a particularly tense social climate in Mexico, where crime rates remain among the highest in the world. The government presents it as a preventive tool: the tax revenue would be used to fund programs supporting individuals suffering from psychological or social issues linked to excessive gaming.
But according to industry experts, this new tax will mainly punish Mexican gamers and discourage foreign investment in a rapidly growing gaming market. The industry reminds that no serious study has ever proven a direct link between virtual violence and real-world aggression. By targeting games instead of addressing the root causes of crime, the government seems to be choosing an easy scapegoat instead of confronting the real problem: the cartels that have plagued the country for decades.
GTA 6 Could Become the Most Expensive Game in Mexican History
Once the 8% tax takes effect, it will be added to Mexico’s existing 16% VAT, bringing the total tax burden to nearly 24% on certain games. And guess which blockbuster might be one of the first casualties of this new law? GTA 6, of course. The timing couldn’t be more ironic: the release of GTA 6 is set for May 26, 2026 — right when the tax could come into force.
This could further drive up the already staggering price of GTA 6, which has already sparked controversy. The game was listed at €104.99 by a European retailer, far above the usual AAA price range of €70–80. With this new tax, GTA 6 could simply become unaffordable for many Mexican players. While waiting to find out its final price, fans can still take comfort in (re)watching the second trailer of GTA 6, which remains free… for now:
