De las tienditas a los ataques: así ‘destapó’ la narcoguerra el negocio de las maquinitas en Culiacán

Clandestine slot machines, locally referred to as “jugadas” or “habichuelas,” have operated openly for years within small businesses such as grocery stores and tortilla shops across Culiacán, Mexico. These machines have recently emerged as a focal point in the city's escalating conflict between criminal factions.

Reports indicate that the control and operation of these gambling devices are linked to broader organized crime activities. The visibility of these machines in everyday commercial spaces highlights the integration of illicit gambling operations into the local economy, which has now become a flashpoint for violence and territorial disputes in the region.