Azerbaijan’s new illegal online gambling penalties get presidential sign off
Amendments to the Criminal Code introduce tougher sanctions for repeat offences, gambling involving minors and activities carried out by organised groups.
Azerbaijan.- President Ilham Aliyev has approved amendments to Azerbaijan’s Criminal Code which will increase penalties for the organisation and operation of illegal gambling. The new provisions establish specific sanctions for repeatedly organising gambling online, including via social media platforms and mobile applications.
The legislation also introduces tougher penalties when gambling-related offences involve minors, are committed by groups acting in prior collusion, or generate significant criminal proceeds. Offenders can face fines of up to twice the income obtained, alongside restriction of liberty or imprisonment for two to four years.
Penalties increase when offences are committed by an organised group or criminal association, or involve large amounts of criminal proceeds, with prison terms of up to five years. Cases involving an especially large amount of proceeds can lead to imprisonment for five to eight years.
